Last frost date in Central, LA

Average last frost
February 25

The average last frost in Central is February 25. By March 19 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 26, which leaves 276 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 7 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 19
Average first frost
Nov 26
Frost-free season
276 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 6
Next 7 nights in Central

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2252°
  2. FriOct 2351°
  3. SatOct 2450°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2653°
  6. TueOct 2753°
  7. WedOct 2853°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 25First frost Nov 26276 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND276 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Baton Rouge Ryan Airport, 6.8 miles from Central.

Planting calendar for Central

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Louisiana.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMar 4–Mar 18
PumpkinsMar 11–Mar 25
SunflowersFeb 25–Mar 18
CucumbersMar 11–Mar 18
CornMar 4–Mar 18
Sweet potatoesMar 18–Apr 1
WatermelonMar 11–Mar 25
Green beansMar 4–Mar 25
ZucchiniMar 4–Mar 18
OkraMar 18–Apr 1
PeppersMar 11–Mar 25
BasilMar 4–Mar 18
Butternut squashMar 4–Mar 18
CantaloupeMar 11–Mar 25
EggplantMar 11–Mar 25
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 28–Feb 11
OnionsJan 14–Feb 4
CarrotsFeb 4–Mar 11
LettuceFeb 11–Mar 4
BroccoliJan 28–Feb 11
BeetsJan 28–Mar 11
PeasJan 14–Jan 28
CabbageJan 28–Feb 11
RadishesJan 21–Mar 4
Brussels sproutsFeb 11–Feb 25
SpinachJan 14–Feb 4
CilantroFeb 11–Mar 4
KaleJan 28–Feb 11
Collard greensJan 28–Feb 11
TurnipsJan 28–Feb 11
DillFeb 25–Mar 11
CeleryMar 4–Mar 11
CauliflowerFeb 11–Feb 25
LeeksFeb 11–Feb 25
Swiss chardFeb 11–Mar 11
ParsleyFeb 11–Mar 4
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 12–Dec 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 28–Feb 11
AsparagusJan 28–Feb 11

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 29Feb 25Mar 19Nov 7Nov 26Dec 19
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 4Feb 6Mar 8Nov 19Dec 11Jan 18

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Baton Rouge Ryan Airport (USW00013970) sits 6.8 miles from the center of Central at 64 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Central, LA?

The average last frost date in Central is February 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 19.

When is the first frost in Central?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 26. One year in ten it arrives before November 7.

How long is the growing season in Central?

About 276 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Central?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 4 to March 18. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Louisiana

All 26 cities in Louisiana