Frost dates for 70504 — Lafayette, LA
Last spring frostFeb 13median date
First fall frostDec 4median date
Growing season294 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Lafayette compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lafayette falls between January 13 and March 10, a 56-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 13 and January 5.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 294-day growing season is among the longest of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 18 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 11 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Baton Rouge, LA, 92 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 20 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 13 |
| 50% (median) | February 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 13 |
| 50% (median) | December 4 |
| 90% (late) | January 5 |
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 70504 — Lafayette, LA — last frost Feb 13, first frost Dec 4, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Nov 21 to Dec 5Transplant outside: Jan 16 to Jan 30
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 5 to Dec 19Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 16 to Jan 30Sow outdoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 23 to Feb 6Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Jan 30 to Feb 13Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Sow outdoors: Jan 2 to Jan 23Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Jan 2 to Jan 23Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 9 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 23 to Feb 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Plant for fall: Nov 20 to Dec 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lafayette, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Jan 16 – Feb 20 | Oct 9 – Nov 6 |
| Kale | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | — | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | — | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Okra | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — |
| Basil | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 2 – Jan 23 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 2 – Jan 23 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 9 – Feb 20 | Oct 23 – Nov 13 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 16 – Jan 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 20 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 20 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Jan 23 – Feb 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 27 | Sep 25 – Oct 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 20 – Dec 25 |
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 Rgnl Ap, LA weather station, 3 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 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
- Broussard Feb 19 · Dec 1
- Carencro Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Youngsville Feb 13 · Dec 4
- Duson Feb 26 · Nov 28
- Milton Feb 26 · Nov 28
- Maurice Feb 26 · Nov 28
- 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 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 10, 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 December 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 13.
How long is the growing season in Lafayette, LA?
About 294 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.