Frost dates for 70503 — Lafayette, LA
Last spring frostFeb 26median date
First fall frostNov 28median date
Growing season275 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Lafayette compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lafayette falls between January 29 and March 20, a 50-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 7 and December 26.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 275-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season (state median 266 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 18 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Baton Rouge, LA, 96 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 29 |
| 50% (median) | February 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 7 |
| 50% (median) | November 28 |
| 90% (late) | December 26 |
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 Lafayette, LA
Frost dates for 70503 — Lafayette, LA — last frost Feb 26, first frost Nov 28, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 4 to Dec 18Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Start indoors: Dec 18 to Jan 1Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 31
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Jan 29 to Feb 12Sow outdoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 5 to Feb 19Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 12 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Jan 15 to Feb 5Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 22 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 7
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19
Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Apr 2
Plant for fall: Nov 14 to Dec 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lafayette, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Jan 29 – Mar 5 | Oct 3 – Oct 31 |
| Kale | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cabbage | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | — | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Okra | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — |
| Basil | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 15 – Feb 5 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 22 – Mar 5 | Oct 17 – Nov 7 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 5 – Mar 5 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 12 | Sep 19 – Oct 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 14 – Dec 19 |
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 Lafayette, LA weather station, 4 km away (elevation 26 ft (8 m)).
ZIP codes in Lafayette: 70501 70502 70503 70504 70505 70506 70507 70508 70509 70593 70596 70598
Frost dates near Lafayette
- Scott Feb 26 · Nov 28
- Milton Feb 26 · Nov 28
- Duson Feb 26 · Nov 28
- Youngsville Feb 13 · Dec 4
- Broussard Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Maurice Feb 26 · Nov 28
- Carencro Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Cade Feb 19 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lafayette, LA?
The median last spring frost in Lafayette, LA is February 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lafayette, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 7.
How long is the growing season in Lafayette, LA?
About 275 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lafayette, LA?
Lafayette, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.