Frost dates for 70571 — Opelousas, LA
Last spring frostFeb 28median date
First fall frostNov 23median date
Growing season268 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Opelousas compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Opelousas falls between January 31 and March 25, a 53-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 16.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 268-day growing season is longer than 58% of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season (state median 266 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 9a, where the median is Mar 3.
- The weather station records an average of 18 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lafayette, LA, 36 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 31 |
| 50% (median) | February 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 23 |
| 90% (late) | December 16 |
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 Opelousas, LA
Frost dates for 70571 — Opelousas, LA — last frost Feb 28, first frost Nov 23, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 6 to Dec 20Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Plant for fall: Nov 9 to Dec 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Opelousas, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Jan 31 – Mar 7 | Sep 28 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Okra | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Basil | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 24 – Mar 7 | Oct 12 – Nov 2 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 9 – Dec 14 |
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 Grand Coteau, LA weather station, 13 km away (elevation 56 ft (17 m)).
ZIP codes in Opelousas: 70570 70571
Frost dates near Opelousas
- Lawtell Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Leonville Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Grand Coteau Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Port Barre Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Sunset Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Washington Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Church Point Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Arnaudville Feb 28 · Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Opelousas, LA?
The median last spring frost in Opelousas, LA is February 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Opelousas, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 23, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Opelousas, LA?
About 268 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Opelousas, LA?
Opelousas, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.