Frost dates for 71286Transylvania, LA
The average last spring frost in Transylvania is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 263 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 263 days
Safer after Mar 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 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 27 · Mar 16 · Apr 2 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Nov 28 | 239 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 5 · Mar 22 | Nov 6 · Nov 24 · Dec 12 | 263 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 20 · Feb 21 · Mar 11 | Nov 16 · Dec 7 · Jan 5 | 295 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Transylvania
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 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71286 is matched to the NOAA station Lake Providence, LA, 16 km away, at 100 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Providence, LA (used) | 100 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
| Tallulah, LA | 85 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 24 |
| Tallulah Vicksburg Ap, LA | 86 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 11 |
| Rolling Fork, MS | 105 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 20 |
Frost dates near Transylvania
- Sondheimer, LA 71276 · last Mar 2, first Nov 24
- Lake Providence, LA 71254 · last Mar 5, first Nov 24
- Pioneer, LA 71266 · last Mar 5, first Nov 24
- Forest, LA 71242 · last Mar 5, first Nov 24
- Epps, LA 71237 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Oak Grove, LA 71263 · last Mar 5, first Nov 24
- Tallulah, LA 71284 · last Mar 2, first Nov 24
- Mayersville, MS 39113 · last Mar 5, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Transylvania, LA?
- For ZIP code 71286, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake Providence, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 22.
- When is the first frost in Transylvania, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71286?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 263 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.