Forest, LA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 5median date
First fall frostNov 24median date
Growing season264 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Forest compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Forest falls between February 13 and March 22, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 6 and December 12.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 264-day growing season is longer than 48% of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season (state median 266 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier 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 34 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 6 |
| 50% (median) | November 24 |
| 90% (late) | December 12 |
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 Forest, LA
Forest, LA frost dates — last frost Mar 5, first frost Nov 24, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 11 to Dec 25Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Oct 13 to Nov 3
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 15 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Oct 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 9
Plant for fall: Nov 10 to Dec 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Forest, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Feb 5 – Mar 12 | Sep 29 – Oct 27 |
| Kale | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Sep 15 – Oct 6 |
| Broccoli | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cabbage | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Okra | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Basil | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 12 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 22 – Feb 12 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 29 – Mar 12 | Oct 13 – Nov 3 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 19 | Sep 15 – Sep 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Sep 29 – Oct 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 10 – Dec 15 |
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 Lake Providence, LA weather station, 21 km away (elevation 102 ft (31 m)).
Frost dates near Forest
- Oak Grove Mar 5 · Nov 24
- Pioneer Mar 5 · Nov 24
- Lake Providence Mar 5 · Nov 24
- Kilbourne Mar 13 · Nov 14
- Transylvania Mar 5 · Nov 24
- Jones Mar 14 · Nov 10
- Epps Feb 28 · Nov 26
- Bonita Mar 15 · Nov 12
- Mer Rouge Mar 15 · Nov 12
- Sondheimer Mar 2 · Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Forest, LA?
The median last spring frost in Forest, LA is March 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Forest, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 6.
How long is the growing season in Forest, LA?
About 264 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Forest, LA?
Forest, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.