Frost dates for 71365Ruby, LA
The average last spring frost in Ruby is March 3 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 263 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 263 days
Safer after Mar 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 19 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 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 7 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 3 · Mar 24 | Nov 3 · Nov 22 · Dec 11 | 263 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 16 · Mar 13 | Nov 15 · Dec 7 · Jan 6 | 298 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Ruby
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 31 – Apr 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – May 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 20 – Jan 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71365 is matched to the NOAA station Alexandria 5 Sse, LA, 20.2 km away, at 85 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria 5 Sse, LA (used) | 85 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 22 |
| Lsu Dean Lee Rsch Stn, LA | 70 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 22 |
| Alexandria Esler Rgnl Ap, LA | 112 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 8 |
| Alexandria, LA | 87 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Ruby
- Center Point, LA 71323 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
- Pineville, LA 71360 · last Mar 3, first Nov 22
- Echo, LA 71330 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
- Effie, LA 71331 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
- Alexandria, LA 71315 · last Mar 3, first Nov 22
- Lecompte, LA 71346 · last Mar 3, first Nov 22
- Marksville, LA 71351 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
- Hessmer, LA 71341 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ruby, LA?
- For ZIP code 71365, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alexandria 5 Sse, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 24.
- When is the first frost in Ruby, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71365?
- 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.