Frost dates for 71301Alexandria, LA
The average last spring frost in Alexandria is February 27 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 274 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 274 days
Safer after Mar 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 21 · Mar 12 · Apr 2 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 248 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 27 · Mar 18 | Nov 7 · Nov 27 · Dec 19 | 274 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 6 · Feb 8 · Mar 8 | Nov 18 · Dec 13 · Jan 10 | 308 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Alexandria
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 27 – Apr 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 27 – Feb 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Apr 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71301 is matched to the NOAA station Alexandria, LA, 3.6 km away, at 87 ft elevation (8 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA (used) | 87 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
| Alexandria 5 Sse, LA | 85 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 22 |
| Alexandria Intl Ap, LA | 84 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 17 |
| Lsu Dean Lee Rsch Stn, LA | 70 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 22 |
Frost dates near Alexandria
- Alexandria, LA 71306 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Pineville, LA 71359 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Libuse, LA 71348 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
- Woodworth, LA 71485 · last Mar 3, first Nov 22
- Ball, LA 71405 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
- Tioga, LA 71477 · last Mar 2, first Nov 17
- Gardner, LA 71431 · last Mar 2, first Nov 17
- Lecompte, LA 71346 · last Mar 3, first Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alexandria, LA?
- For ZIP code 71301, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alexandria, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 18.
- When is the first frost in Alexandria, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. 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 71301?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 274 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.