Frost dates for 71273 — Ruston, LA
Last spring frostMar 11median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season250 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Ruston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ruston falls between February 18 and March 31, a 41-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 250-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season (state median 266 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 46 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bossier City, LA, 96 km away, the last frost here is 11 days later than there and the growing season is 19 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 18 |
| 50% (median) | March 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
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 Ruston, LA
Frost dates for 71273 — Ruston, LA — last frost Mar 11, first frost Nov 16, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 17 to Dec 31Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 11 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Jan 28 to Feb 18Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ruston, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 11 – Mar 18 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Basil | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 28 – Feb 18 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 4 – Mar 18 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 11 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 18 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 7 |
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 Ruston La Tech, LA weather station, 11 km away (elevation 295 ft (90 m)).
ZIP codes in Ruston: 71270 71272 71273
Frost dates near Ruston
- Dubach Mar 11 · Nov 16
- Grambling Mar 11 · Nov 16
- Choudrant Mar 11 · Nov 16
- Simsboro Mar 11 · Nov 16
- Bernice Mar 14 · Nov 16
- Downsville Mar 14 · Nov 16
- Arcadia Mar 19 · Nov 9
- Quitman Mar 11 · Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ruston, LA?
The median last spring frost in Ruston, LA is March 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ruston, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Ruston, LA?
About 250 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ruston, LA?
Ruston, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.