Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 70514 (Baldwin, 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, Franklin 3 NW, LA (2 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)303 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
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (25 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (25 mi).
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 70514 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically 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 22 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
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 13–Nov 3
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 3
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 27
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 10
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 27–Nov 24
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 8: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
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) | Jan 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 11 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 11 |
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) | Nov 15 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 9 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 1 | Nov 22 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 11 | Dec 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 27 | Dec 31 |
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 70514
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 11) and first fall frost (Dec 8). 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 | Dec 17–31 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 3–17 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 3–17 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 17–31 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 17–31 | Jan 21–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 14–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 3 (transplant) Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 31–Jan 21 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 1–29 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 3–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 3–17 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 17–31 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 14–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Jan 28–Feb 18 (transplant) Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 14–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 7–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Oct 27–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 14–Feb 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 17–Jan 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 31–Jan 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 31–Jan 14 (transplant) | Oct 27–Nov 24 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 1 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 14–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 14–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 14–21 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 19–Dec 3 | Feb 18–25 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 31–Jan 14 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 28–Feb 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 3–17 | Jan 28–Feb 11 (transplant) Jan 21–Feb 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 11–25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 11–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 14–28 (transplant) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (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 February 11 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Franklin 3 NW, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00163313), elevation 12 ft, 1.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanerette 5 NW, LA | 12 mi | Feb 15 | Dec 3 |
| Salt Point, LA | 20 mi | Feb 2 | Dec 26 |
| New Iberia Acadiana AP, LA | 24 mi | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 70514
When is the last frost in 70514?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 70514 is February 11. For a more cautious planting date, use March 11, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 70514?
The average first fall freeze is December 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 15.
What hardiness zone is 70514?
ZIP 70514 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 70514 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
70523 Charenton 70538 Franklin 70544 Jeanerette 70522 Centerville 70552 Loreauville 70563 70392 Patterson 70560 New Iberia
Other ZIP codes in St. Mary Parish
70340 70342 70392 70522 70523 70538 All St. Mary 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.