Last frost date in Ruston, LA

Average last frost
March 11

In Ruston, the last spring frost comes around March 11 in an average year. Wait until March 31 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 16, which leaves 248 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 31 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 31
Average first frost
Nov 16
Frost-free season
248 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 24
Next 7 nights in Ruston

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2250°
  2. FriOct 2351°
  3. SatOct 2448°
  4. SunOct 2550°
  5. MonOct 2650°
  6. TueOct 2751°
  7. WedOct 2850°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 11First frost Nov 16248 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND248 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Ruston La Tech, 1.8 miles from Ruston.

Planting calendar for Ruston

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 18–Apr 1
PumpkinsMar 25–Apr 8
SunflowersMar 11–Apr 1
CucumbersMar 25–Apr 1
CornMar 18–Apr 1
Sweet potatoesApr 1–Apr 15
WatermelonMar 25–Apr 8
Green beansMar 18–Apr 8
ZucchiniMar 18–Apr 1
OkraApr 1–Apr 15
PeppersMar 25–Apr 8
BasilMar 18–Apr 1
Butternut squashMar 18–Apr 1
CantaloupeMar 25–Apr 8
EggplantMar 25–Apr 8
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 11–Feb 25
OnionsJan 28–Feb 18
CarrotsFeb 18–Mar 25
LettuceFeb 25–Mar 18
BroccoliFeb 11–Feb 25
BeetsFeb 11–Mar 25
PeasJan 28–Feb 11
CabbageFeb 11–Feb 25
RadishesFeb 4–Mar 18
Brussels sproutsFeb 25–Mar 11
SpinachJan 28–Feb 18
CilantroFeb 25–Mar 18
KaleFeb 11–Feb 25
Collard greensFeb 11–Feb 25
TurnipsFeb 11–Feb 25
DillMar 11–Mar 25
CeleryMar 18–Mar 25
CauliflowerFeb 25–Mar 11
LeeksFeb 25–Mar 11
Swiss chardFeb 25–Mar 25
ParsleyFeb 25–Mar 18
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsNov 2–Dec 7
GarlicOct 26–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 19–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 11–Feb 25
AsparagusFeb 11–Feb 25

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 18Mar 11Mar 31Oct 31Nov 16Dec 4
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 29Feb 24Mar 17Nov 10Dec 1Dec 26

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 Ruston La Tech (USC00168067) sits 1.8 miles from the center of Ruston at 295 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 Ruston, LA?

The average last frost date in Ruston is March 11, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 31.

When is the first frost in Ruston?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 16. One year in ten it arrives before October 31.

How long is the growing season in Ruston?

About 248 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Ruston?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 18 to April 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Louisiana

All 26 cities in Louisiana