Frost dates for 70616 — Lake Charles, LA
Last spring frostMar 2median date
First fall frostNov 25median date
Growing season268 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Lake Charles compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lake Charles falls between January 30 and March 26, a 55-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 21.
- The median last frost is 1 day 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 25 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Beaumont, TX, 81 km away, the last frost here is 16 days later than there and the growing season is 25 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 30 |
| 50% (median) | March 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 26 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 25 |
| 90% (late) | December 21 |
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 Lake Charles, LA
Frost dates for 70616 — Lake Charles, LA — last frost Mar 2, first frost Nov 25, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 8 to Dec 22Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 2 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 19 to Feb 9Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Plant for fall: Nov 11 to Dec 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lake Charles, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 2 – Mar 9 | Sep 30 – Oct 28 |
| Kale | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Broccoli | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cabbage | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Okra | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Basil | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 19 – Feb 9 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 26 – Mar 9 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 2 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 9 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 11 – Dec 16 |
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 Moss Bluff 2 Nnw, LA weather station, 14 km away (elevation 26 ft (8 m)).
ZIP codes in Lake Charles: 70601 70602 70605 70606 70607 70609 70611 70612 70615 70616 70629
Frost dates near Lake Charles
- Westlake Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Sulphur Feb 14 · Dec 7
- Dequincy Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Ragley Mar 2 · Nov 25
- Vinton Feb 28 · Nov 23
- Iowa Feb 14 · Dec 7
- Hackberry Feb 3 · Dec 24
- Starks Feb 28 · Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lake Charles, LA?
The median last spring frost in Lake Charles, LA is March 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 26, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lake Charles, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Lake Charles, LA?
About 268 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lake Charles, LA?
Lake Charles, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.