Frost dates for 71280Sterlington, LA
The average last spring frost in Sterlington is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 15 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 15 · Apr 3 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 2 · Mar 21 | Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 20 | 270 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sterlington
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71280 is matched to the NOAA station Bastrop, LA, 17.3 km away, at 150 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bastrop, LA (used) | 150 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
| Monroe 26 N, LA | 88 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 5 |
| Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA | 79 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 15 |
| Monroe Delta Cc, LA | 70 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Sterlington
- Fairbanks, LA 71240 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Monroe, LA 71203 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Bastrop, LA 71220 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
- Farmerville, LA 71241 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
- West Monroe, LA 71291 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Collinston, LA 71229 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
- Marion, LA 71260 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
- Swartz, LA 71281 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sterlington, LA?
- For ZIP code 71280, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bastrop, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Sterlington, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71280?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.