Frost dates for 71474Simpson, LA
The average last spring frost in Simpson is March 1 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 268 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 268 days
Safer after Mar 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 23 · Mar 15 · Apr 5 | Oct 28 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 242 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 1 · Mar 24 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 20 | 268 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 2 · Feb 7 · Mar 9 | Nov 15 · Dec 10 · Jan 14 | 308 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Simpson
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 29 – Apr 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – May 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Apr 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71474 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Polk Fullerton Lndg Strip, LA, 12.8 km away, at 310 ft elevation (51 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Polk Fullerton Lndg Strip, LA (used) | 310 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 23 |
| Leesville, LA | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 9 |
| Peason Ridge Range, LA | 365 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 18 |
| Boyce 3 Wnw, LA | 110 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Simpson
- Slagle, LA 71475 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Mora, LA 71455 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Kurthwood, LA 71443 · last Mar 3, first Nov 27
- Flatwoods, LA 71427 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Gorum, LA 71434 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Leesville, LA 71446 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Sieper, LA 71472 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
- Lena, LA 71447 · last Mar 2, first Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Simpson, LA?
- For ZIP code 71474, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Polk Fullerton Lndg Strip, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 24.
- When is the first frost in Simpson, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71474?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 268 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.