Frost dates for ZIP 70532 (Elton, 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, Oberlin Fire Twr, LA (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)267 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
76°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 76°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (56 mi).
4-inch depth
78°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 78°F, as of Oct 17, 9:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (56 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 70532 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 78°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 September to early October).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about Apr 16 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall transplant Sep 29–Oct 20
- Spinach: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 20
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 29–Oct 27
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 13–27
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 13–Nov 10
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 24: 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) | Feb 1 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 1 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 26 |
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 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 24 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 17 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 19 | Nov 11 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 1 | Nov 24 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 12 | Dec 11 |
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 70532
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 1) and first fall frost (Nov 24). 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 | Jan 4–18 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 25 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 4–18 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 4–18 | Feb 8–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 1–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 20 (transplant) Sep 15–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 18–Feb 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 4–18 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 4–18 | Feb 1–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–29 (transplant) Aug 18–Sep 15 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) | Aug 18–Sep 15 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 7–21 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 4–25 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 4–18 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 27 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Feb 15–Mar 8 (transplant) Feb 15–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 1–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 8–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 25–Mar 8 (sow outdoors) | Oct 13–27 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 8–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 4–Feb 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 7–21 | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 18–Feb 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 15–29 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 7–21 | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 18–Feb 1 (transplant) | Oct 13–Nov 10 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 4–18 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 22–Apr 5 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 22–Apr 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 1–8 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 1–8 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | Sep 1–15 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 1–8 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 1–8 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 1–8 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Mar 15–29 (transplant) Mar 15–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 7–21 | Mar 8–15 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 18–Feb 1 | Mar 8–22 (transplant) Mar 8–22 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 15–Mar 15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 21–Jan 4 | Feb 15–Mar 1 (transplant) Feb 8–Mar 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Sep 29–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 1–15 (transplant) | Sep 15–Oct 13 (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 March 1 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Oberlin Fire Twr, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00166938), elevation 65 ft, 10.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eunice, LA | 16 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 27 |
| Jennings, LA | 19 mi | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Crowley 2 NE, LA | 26 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 70532
When is the last frost in 70532?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 70532 is March 1. For a more cautious planting date, use March 26, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 70532?
The average first fall freeze is November 24. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 5.
What hardiness zone is 70532?
ZIP 70532 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 70532 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
70515 Basile 70655 Oberlin 70648 Kinder 70546 Jennings 70581 Roanoke 70640 Fenton 70543 Iota 70554 Reddell
Other ZIP codes in Jefferson Davis Parish
70546 70549 70581 70591 70640 70650 All Jefferson Davis Parish frost dates · Louisiana frost dates
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