Frost dates for 71407Bentley, LA
The average last spring frost in Bentley is March 2 and the average first fall frost is November 17, giving a typical growing season of about 260 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 17
- Growing season
- 260 days
Safer after Mar 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 14 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 9 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 24 | 233 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 2 · Mar 25 | Nov 1 · Nov 17 · Dec 9 | 260 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 15 · Mar 13 | Nov 8 · Dec 1 · Jan 2 | 296 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Bentley
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 30 – Apr 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Jul 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – May 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Jul 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 7 – Dec 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71407 is matched to the NOAA station Alexandria Intl Ap, LA, 21.2 km away, at 84 ft elevation (119 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Intl Ap, LA (used) | 84 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 17 |
| Alexandria, LA | 87 ft | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
| Alexandria Esler Rgnl Ap, LA | 112 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 8 |
| Boyce 3 Wnw, LA | 110 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Bentley
- Pollock, LA 71467 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
- Dry Prong, LA 71423 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Ball, LA 71405 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
- Colfax, LA 71417 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Tioga, LA 71477 · last Mar 2, first Nov 17
- Pineville, LA 71361 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Alexandria, LA 71306 · last Feb 27, first Nov 27
- Libuse, LA 71348 · last Mar 16, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bentley, LA?
- For ZIP code 71407, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alexandria Intl Ap, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 25.
- When is the first frost in Bentley, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71407?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 260 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.