Frost dates for 71473Sikes, LA
The average last spring frost in Sikes is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 242 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 242 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 6 · Mar 28 · Apr 16 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 13 · Apr 5 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 242 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Feb 28 · Mar 20 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 22 | 267 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sikes
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71473 is matched to the NOAA station Winnfield 3 N, LA, 23.3 km away, at 160 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnfield 3 N, LA (used) | 160 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
| Columbia Lock, LA | 82 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA | 120 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 5 |
| Jena, LA | 143 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Sikes
- Joyce, LA 71440 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Dodson, LA 71422 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Tullos, LA 71479 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Winnfield, LA 71483 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Chatham, LA 71226 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Grayson, LA 71435 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Urania, LA 71480 · last Mar 19, first Nov 12
- Kelly, LA 71441 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sikes, LA?
- For ZIP code 71473, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winnfield 3 N, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Sikes, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71473?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 242 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.