Frost dates for 71496Leesville, LA
The average last spring frost in Leesville is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 13 · Apr 5 · Apr 25 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 16 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 20 · Apr 12 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 27 | Nov 3 · Nov 23 · Dec 16 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Leesville
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71496 is matched to the NOAA station Leesville, LA, 2 km away, at 28 ft elevation (228 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leesville, LA (used) | 28 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 9 |
| Rosepine Rsch Stn, LA | 238 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 21 |
| Ft Polk Fullerton Lndg Strip, LA | 310 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 23 |
| Hodges Gardens, LA | 420 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Leesville
- New Llano, LA 71461 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Leesville, LA 71446 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Fort Polk, LA 71459 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
- Anacoco, LA 71403 · last Mar 1, first Nov 30
- Slagle, LA 71475 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Hornbeck, LA 71439 · last Mar 3, first Nov 27
- Kurthwood, LA 71443 · last Mar 3, first Nov 27
- Rosepine, LA 70659 · last Mar 8, first Nov 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Leesville, LA?
- For ZIP code 71496, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Leesville, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Leesville, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71496?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.