Frost dates for 70818 — Baton Rouge, LA
Last spring frostFeb 25median date
First fall frostNov 26median date
Growing season274 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 29 and March 19, a 49-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 7 and December 19.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 274-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season (state median 266 days).
- The last frost is 6 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.
- Nearby New Orleans, LA, 114 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | January 29 |
| 50% (median) | February 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 7 |
| 50% (median) | November 26 |
| 90% (late) | December 19 |
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 70818 — Baton Rouge, LA — last frost Feb 25, first frost Nov 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 3 to Dec 17Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Jan 28 to Feb 11Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 4 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 14 to Feb 4Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Jan 21 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 5
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Apr 1
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 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Jan 28 – Mar 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Broccoli | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Okra | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Basil | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 14 – Feb 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 21 – Mar 4 | Oct 15 – Nov 5 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Jan 28 – Feb 4 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 4 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 11 | Sep 17 – Oct 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| 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 Baton Rouge Ryan Ap, LA weather station, 9 km away (elevation 66 ft (20 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
- Baker Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Watson Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Pride Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Greenwell Springs Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Zachary Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Denham Springs Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Walker Feb 25 · Nov 26
- Port Allen Feb 28 · Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median last spring frost in Baton Rouge, LA is February 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 19, 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 7.
How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 274 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.