Frost dates for 71454Montgomery, LA
The average last spring frost in Montgomery is February 28 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 275 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 275 days
Safer after Mar 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 10 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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 | Nov 2 · Nov 18 · Dec 5 | 249 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 17 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Dec 26 | 275 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 7 · Feb 8 · Mar 7 | Nov 23 · Dec 21 · Jan 21 | 310 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Montgomery
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 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71454 is matched to the NOAA station Natchitoches, LA, 26.7 km away, at 130 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natchitoches, LA (used) | 130 ft | Feb 28 | Dec 1 |
| Natchitoches #2, LA | 141 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 17 |
| Boyce 3 Wnw, LA | 110 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 27 |
| Winnfield 3 N, LA | 160 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
Frost dates near Montgomery
- Atlanta, LA 71404 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Melrose, LA 71452 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
- Saint Maurice, LA 71471 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
- Cloutierville, LA 71416 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Natchez, LA 71456 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
- Natchitoches, LA 71458 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
- Clarence, LA 71414 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
- Colfax, LA 71417 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Montgomery, LA?
- For ZIP code 71454, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Natchitoches, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 17.
- When is the first frost in Montgomery, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71454?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 275 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.