Frost Dates for Baton Rouge, LA 70818
Baton Rouge has 21 ZIP codes. The Baton Rouge, LA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 26 · First fall frost November 29 · 276 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 70818 has about 9,370 people, one of 21 ZIP codes in Baton Rouge.
Very long season: 276 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 5–March 19 (42 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–December 19 (40 days).
Frost probability for 70818
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 19 | February 26 | February 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | November 29 | December 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BATON ROUGE METRO AP (9.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 276-day season in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge (276 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 22 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | Jul 30 |
| Pepper | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 234 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | Aug 4 |
| Lettuce | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 318 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 318 available after Feb 5. | Sep 27 |
| Cucumber | Feb 5 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Beans | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Peas | — | Jan 1–Mar 12 | 339 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 339 available after Jan 1. | Sep 18 |
| Zucchini | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Onion | Dec 4 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 311 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 311 available after Jan 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 1–Feb 19 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Kale | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 311 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 311 available after Jan 29. | Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 325 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 29. | Sep 27 |
| Radish | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 29 | 381 | overwinter: Plant Nov 29 to Dec 20; harvest the following summer. | Dec 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 22–Mar 19 | 332 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 248 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 5. | Aug 11 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 12. | Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 15 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 290 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 290 available after Feb 19. | Sep 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 1 | Feb 12–Feb 12 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 353 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 1 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 325 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 325 available after Jan 29. | Aug 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 12. | Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | Aug 9 |
| Okra | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Basil | Jan 22 | Mar 19–Mar 19 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 29–Feb 19 | 311 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Parsley | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 5. | Sep 13 |
| Celery | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 276 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 5. | Jul 25 |
| Scallions | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 15–Jan 29 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 15 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 29 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Collards | Dec 18 | Jan 29–Feb 12 | 325 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 234 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | Jul 25 |
| Chives | Dec 4 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 1–Mar 26 | 339 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 1 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Oregano | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 290 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 4 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 276 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Sage | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 290 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 18 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 290 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 290 available after Mar 5. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 15 | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Cosmos | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Lavender | Dec 4 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Melons | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 234 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 12. | Jul 25 |
| Mint | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 5–Mar 19 | 255 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 5. | Aug 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 12. | Jul 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 26. | Aug 23 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 241 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 5. | Aug 4 |
| Watermelon | Feb 12 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 241 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 5. | Jul 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Zinnias | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
Month by month in Baton Rouge
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 1), Cabbage (Jan 1), Lettuce (Jan 1), Sage (Jan 1), Swiss Chard (Jan 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 1), Beets (Jan 1), Dill (Jan 1), Peas (Jan 1), Radish (Jan 1), Spinach (Jan 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 29), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 29), Cabbage (Jan 29), Collards (Jan 29), Kale (Jan 29), Lettuce (Jan 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 22). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 5), Butternut Squash (Feb 12), Cantaloupe (Feb 12), Melons (Feb 12), Pumpkin (Feb 12), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 5), Potatoes (Feb 12), Sunflowers (Feb 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 12), Swiss Chard (Feb 12), Bok Choy (Feb 19), Cauliflower (Feb 19), Cosmos (Feb 26), Lavender (Feb 26), +4 more. Last frost around February 26. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 5), Pole Beans (Mar 5). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 5), Chives (Mar 5), Corn (Mar 5), Okra (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 17), Pumpkin (Jul 17), Cantaloupe (Jul 25), Celery (Jul 25), Melons (Jul 25), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 27), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 4), Tomatillos (Aug 4), Eggplant (Aug 9), Corn (Aug 11), Sunflowers (Aug 23), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 28), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 2), Cosmos (Sep 2), Cucumber (Sep 2), Zinnias (Sep 2), Broccoli (Sep 3), Nasturtiums (Sep 7), +13 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 3), Cilantro (Oct 3), Collards (Oct 7), Scallions (Oct 7), Bok Choy (Oct 8), Lettuce (Oct 8), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 29). First frost around November 29. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 4), Lavender (Dec 4), Onion (Dec 4), Rosemary (Dec 4), Celery (Dec 18), Collards (Dec 18), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 20). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Baton Rouge, LA (ZIP 70818)?
The median last spring frost date for Baton Rouge, LA (ZIP code 70818) is around February 26. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before February 5; one in ten it runs past March 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Baton Rouge, LA is around November 29. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Baton Rouge is about 276 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Baton Rouge (276 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Baton Rouge, LA?
Baton Rouge, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Baton Rouge, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 22 and plant out Mar 12 in Baton Rouge. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Baton Rouge?
Two: plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6.
When do I plant garlic in Baton Rouge?
Nov 29 to Dec 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Baton Rouge?
Yes: plant out Mar 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 30 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Baker, LA 70714 (5.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Greenwell Springs, LA 70739 (6.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Baton Rouge, LA 70816 (8 mi)
- Frost dates for Zachary, LA 70791 (9.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Denham Springs, LA 70726 (11.7 mi)
- When to plant in Baton Rouge, LA: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in LA
- When to plant Peppers in LA
- When to plant Cucumbers in LA
- When to plant Zucchini in LA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in LA
- When to plant Basil in LA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in LA
- Look up another ZIP