Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 70126 (New Orleans, LA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, New Orleans Lakefront AP, LA (2 miles away).
Freezes are uncommon here
NOAA's normals for this station show a 32°F night in about 71% of years (about 2 freezing night(s) a year on average). The dates below describe freeze timing for the station's record; in many years there may be no 32°F freeze at all.
- Average last spring frostJan 2250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostJan 5 (next year)50% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)348 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Freezes are uncommon here, so frost-based timing is rough. Local extension calendars for frost-free areas use months.
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 70126 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring late January to mid-February (south Florida: earlier; check local soil temps); fall October to early November.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 2 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Kale: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Kale: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
- Collards: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Collards: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 10
- Broccoli: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Cabbage: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Cauliflower: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
- Carrot: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Pea (garden, snap, snow): fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Bean, bush (snap): fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Cucumber: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Summer squash / zucchini: fall sowing Oct 13–27
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Lettuce: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Brussels sprouts: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Onion (bulbing): start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Leek: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Celery: start seeds indoors Oct 30–Nov 13
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 27–Nov 24
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Dec 28 (prior Dec) |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Jan 22 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Feb 23 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Dec 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Jan 5 (next year) |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Feb 1 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 4 | Dec 26 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Jan 22 | Jan 5 (next year) |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 18 | Jan 11 (next year) |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 70126
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Jan 22) and first fall frost (Jan 5). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Nov 13–27 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Nov 13–27 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Jan 1–22 (transplant) Dec 25–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 1 (transplant) Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 11–Jan 1 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 1 (sowing) |
| Kale | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Collards | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 22 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Nov 13–27 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 6 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Nov 27–Dec 11 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 11–25 | Jan 8–29 (transplant) Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Dec 25–Jan 22 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Dec 18–Jan 29 (sow outdoors) | Nov 24–Dec 8 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Dec 25–Jan 15 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Nov 27–Dec 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 11–Jan 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 11–25 (transplant) | Nov 24–Dec 22 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Sep 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Feb 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Feb 12–Mar 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Dec 25–Jan 1 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 11–25 | Feb 5–19 (transplant) Feb 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Oct 30–Nov 13 | Jan 29–Feb 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 11–25 | Jan 29–Feb 12 (transplant) Jan 29–Feb 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 8–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Nov 13–27 | Jan 8–22 (transplant) Jan 1–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | Nov 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Jan 22–Feb 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Dec 25–Jan 8 (transplant) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Louisiana has a university or garden plant program: Louisiana Super Plants. Plant frost-tender annuals after January 22 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: New Orleans Lakefront AP, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00053917), elevation 9 ft, 2.2 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chalmette, LA | 5 mi | Feb 10 | Dec 17 |
| Terrytown 3S, LA | 8 mi | Feb 1 | Dec 31 |
| New Orleans Audubon, LA | 10 mi | Jan 24 | Jan 2 (next year) |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 70126
When is the last frost in 70126?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 70126 is January 22. For a more cautious planting date, use February 23, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 70126?
The average first fall freeze is January 5 (next year). In 1 year in 10 it comes by December 13.
What hardiness zone is 70126?
ZIP 70126 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 70126 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
70127 New Orleans 70122 New Orleans 70148 New Orleans 70117 New Orleans 70128 New Orleans 70116 New Orleans 70032 Arabi 70119 New Orleans
Other ZIP codes in Orleans Parish
70112 70113 70114 70115 70116 70117 70118 70119 70122 70124 70125 70127 70128 70129 70130 70131 70139 70148 70163 All Orleans Parish frost dates · Louisiana frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.