Frost dates for 70801 — Baton Rouge, LA
Last spring frostFeb 28median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season271 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Baton Rouge compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Baton Rouge falls between January 31 and March 21, a 49-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 6 and December 22.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 271-day growing season is longer than 76% 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 20 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 31 |
| 50% (median) | February 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 6 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 22 |
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 Baton Rouge, LA
Frost dates for 70801 — Baton Rouge, LA — last frost Feb 28, first frost Nov 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Jan 31 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
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: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 17 to Feb 7Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 7Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
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: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Plant for fall: Nov 12 to Dec 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Baton Rouge, 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 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| 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 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 17 – Feb 7 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 24 – Mar 7 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 31 – Feb 7 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| 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 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 7 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 12 – Dec 17 |
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 Lsu Ben-Hur Farm, LA weather station, 10 km away (elevation 20 ft (6 m)).
ZIP codes in Baton Rouge: 70801 70802 70803 70804 70805 70806 70807 70808 70809 70810 70811 70812 70813 70814 70815 70816 70817 70818 70819 70820 70821 70822 70823 70825 70826 70827 70831 70833 70835 70836 70837 70873 70874 70879 70884 70891 70892 70893 70894 70895 70896 70898
Frost dates near Baton Rouge
- Port Allen Feb 28 · Nov 24
- Brusly Feb 28 · Nov 24
- Addis Feb 28 · Nov 24
- Baker Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Sunshine Feb 28 · Nov 26
- Plaquemine Feb 28 · Nov 26
- Zachary Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Saint Gabriel Feb 9 · Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median last spring frost in Baton Rouge, LA is February 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 6.
How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 271 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Baton Rouge, LA?
Baton Rouge, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.