Chatham, LA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season222 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Chatham compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chatham falls between March 4 and April 14, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 25 days later than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 222-day growing season is among the shortest of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 12 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 57 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bossier City, LA, 119 km away, the last frost here is 28 days later than there and the growing season is 47 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Chatham, LA
Chatham, LA frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 5, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chatham, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA weather station, 26 km away (elevation 121 ft (37 m)).
Frost dates near Chatham
- Eros Mar 28 · Nov 5
- Jonesboro Mar 19 · Nov 9
- Sikes Mar 13 · Nov 10
- Quitman Mar 11 · Nov 16
- Hodge Mar 19 · Nov 9
- Calhoun Mar 28 · Nov 5
- Choudrant Mar 11 · Nov 16
- West Monroe Mar 8 · Nov 15
- Dodson Mar 13 · Nov 10
- Swartz Mar 8 · Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chatham, LA?
The median last spring frost in Chatham, LA is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chatham, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in Chatham, LA?
About 222 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chatham, LA?
Chatham, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.