Frost dates for 71264Oak Ridge, LA
The average last spring frost in Oak Ridge is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 271 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 271 days
Safer after Mar 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 23 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) | Feb 24 · Mar 14 · Apr 2 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 243 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 19 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 20 | 271 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 10 · Feb 9 · Mar 8 | Nov 19 · Dec 11 · Jan 14 | 306 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Oak Ridge
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 | Jan 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71264 is matched to the NOAA station Rayville, LA, 14.6 km away, at 89 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rayville, LA (used) | 89 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 26 |
| Bastrop, LA | 150 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
| Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA | 79 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 15 |
| Monroe Delta Cc, LA | 70 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Oak Ridge
- Collinston, LA 71229 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
- Mer Rouge, LA 71261 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
- Start, LA 71279 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Bastrop, LA 71221 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
- Rayville, LA 71269 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Epps, LA 71237 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Fairbanks, LA 71240 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Monroe, LA 71203 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oak Ridge, LA?
- For ZIP code 71264, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rayville, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 19.
- When is the first frost in Oak Ridge, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71264?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 271 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.