Hayes, LA frost dates
Last spring frostFeb 10median date
First fall frostDec 11median date
Growing season304 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
Frost is light and occasional here — typically a few cold nights around midwinter (about 10 a year). Cover tender plants when frost is forecast.
How Hayes compares
- In a typical year, frost nights in Hayes fall between December 11 and February 10. In 1 year in 10 the first frost comes as early as November 19, or the last frost as late as March 8.
- Nearby Lake Charles, LA, 37 km away, has a regular frost season (last frost Mar 2), a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 10 |
| 50% (median) | February 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 19 |
| 50% (median) | December 11 |
| 90% (late) | January 15 |
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 Hayes, LA
Hayes, LA frost dates — last frost Feb 10, first frost Dec 11, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
In mild climates, summer heat limits many crops as much as frost does. Use this calendar for spring planting and lean on fall and winter for cool-season crops.
Crop
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Start indoors: Nov 18 to Dec 2Transplant outside: Jan 13 to Jan 27
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Dec 2 to Dec 16Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Jan 20 to Feb 3Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 13
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Jan 13 to Jan 27Sow outdoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Jan 27 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Jan 20 to Feb 3Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Dec 16 to Dec 30Transplant outside: Jan 27 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Jan 20Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Jan 20Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Jan 20Sow outdoors: Dec 30 to Jan 20Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 6 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Nov 20
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 20Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 20Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3
Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 17
Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Jan 1Plant for fall: Nov 27 to Jan 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hayes, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Jan 13 – Feb 17 | Oct 16 – Nov 13 |
| Kale | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Broccoli | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cabbage | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | — | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Okra | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — |
| Basil | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Dec 30 – Jan 20 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Dec 30 – Jan 20 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 6 – Feb 17 | Oct 30 – Nov 20 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | — | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | — | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 13 – Jan 20 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 17 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 17 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 27 – Feb 24 | Oct 2 – Oct 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 27 – Feb 17 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 24 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 27 – Jan 1 |
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 Arthur 7 Sw, LA weather station, 16 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Hayes
- Bell City Feb 14 · Dec 7
- Lacassine Feb 19 · Dec 4
- Iowa Feb 14 · Dec 7
- Welsh Feb 19 · Dec 4
- Lake Arthur Feb 10 · Dec 11
- Roanoke Feb 19 · Dec 4
- Creole Feb 2 · Dec 23
- Jennings Feb 19 · Dec 4
- Fenton Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Mermentau Feb 19 · Dec 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hayes, LA?
The median last spring frost in Hayes, LA is February 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hayes, LA?
The median first fall frost is December 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 19.
How long is the growing season in Hayes, LA?
About 304 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hayes, LA?
Hayes, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.