Frost dates for 71459Fort Polk, LA
The average last spring frost in Fort Polk is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 21, giving a typical growing season of about 259 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 21
- Growing season
- 259 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (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) | Mar 1 · Mar 24 · Apr 13 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 259 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 20 · Feb 19 · Mar 17 | Nov 15 · Dec 7 · Jan 6 | 294 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Fort Polk
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 11 – Dec 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71459 is matched to the NOAA station Rosepine Rsch Stn, LA, 13.2 km away, at 238 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rosepine Rsch Stn, LA (used) | 238 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 21 |
| Leesville, LA | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 9 |
| De Ridder, LA | 190 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 25 |
| Ft Polk Fullerton Lndg Strip, LA | 310 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Fort Polk
- Leesville, LA 71446 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- New Llano, LA 71461 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Rosepine, LA 70659 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
- Slagle, LA 71475 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Deridder, LA 70634 · last Mar 1, first Nov 25
- Anacoco, LA 71403 · last Mar 1, first Nov 30
- Pitkin, LA 70656 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Simpson, LA 71474 · last Mar 1, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Polk, LA?
- For ZIP code 71459, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Rosepine Rsch Stn, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Fort Polk, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 21. 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 71459?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 259 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.