Frost dates for 71247Hodge, LA
The average last spring frost in Hodge is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 237 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 237 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 6 · Apr 23 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 237 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 4 · Mar 25 | Nov 2 · Nov 23 · Dec 12 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hodge
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71247 is matched to the NOAA station Bienville 3 Ne, LA, 23.3 km away, at 307 ft elevation (117 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bienville 3 Ne, LA (used) | 307 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Ruston La Tech, LA | 295 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 16 |
| Winnfield 3 N, LA | 160 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
| Ashland, LA | 240 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Hodge
- Jonesboro, LA 71251 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Quitman, LA 71268 · last Mar 11, first Nov 16
- Bienville, LA 71008 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Saline, LA 71070 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Dodson, LA 71422 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Chatham, LA 71226 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Grambling, LA 71245 · last Mar 11, first Nov 16
- Ruston, LA 71272 · last Mar 11, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hodge, LA?
- For ZIP code 71247, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bienville 3 Ne, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Hodge, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71247?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 237 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.