Frost Dates for Iowa, LA 70647
Last spring frost February 19 · First fall frost December 3 · 287 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 70647 has about 12,700 people.
Very long season: 287 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 19–March 16 (56 days). Fall frost risk spans November 10–December 26 (46 days).
Frost probability for 70647
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 16 | February 19 | January 19 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 10 | December 3 | December 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAKE CHARLES AP (24.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 287-day season in Iowa
In Iowa (287 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 15 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 5. | Aug 3 |
| Pepper | Jan 8 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 5. | Aug 8 |
| Lettuce | Dec 25 | Jan 22–Jan 29 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 12 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 29–Feb 5 | 329 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 29. | Oct 1 |
| Cucumber | Jan 29 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Beans | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 26. | Sep 13 |
| Peas | — | Dec 25–Mar 5 | 350 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 350 available after Dec 25. | Sep 22 |
| Zucchini | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Onion | Nov 27 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 322 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 322 available after Jan 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 25–Feb 12 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 25 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 31 |
| Kale | Dec 11 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Broccoli | Dec 25 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 322 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 322 available after Jan 22. | Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Dec 25 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 336 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 22. | Oct 1 |
| Radish | — | Dec 25–Mar 19 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 25 and again by Nov 1; both mature before Dec 10. | Nov 1 |
| Beets | — | Dec 25–Mar 19 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 25 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 5–Feb 12 | 308 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 5. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 3 | 392 | overwinter: Plant Dec 3 to Dec 24; harvest the following summer. | Dec 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 15–Mar 12 | 343 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 22 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 259 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 26. | Aug 15 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 5 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 5. | Jul 21 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 8 | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 301 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 12. | Sep 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 25 | Feb 5–Feb 5 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 25–Mar 19 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 25 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 31 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 25 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 336 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 22. | Sep 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 5. | Jul 21 |
| Eggplant | Jan 1 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 5. | Aug 13 |
| Okra | Jan 22 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Basil | Jan 15 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 22–Feb 12 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Parsley | Dec 11 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 287 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 26. | Sep 17 |
| Celery | Dec 11 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 287 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 26. | Jul 29 |
| Scallions | Dec 11 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 21; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 8–Jan 22 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 8 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 16 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 22 | Feb 12–Feb 19 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 12 |
| Collards | Dec 11 | Jan 22–Feb 5 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 24. | Oct 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 245 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 5. | Jul 29 |
| Chives | Nov 27 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 25–Mar 19 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 25 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 2 |
| Oregano | Dec 11 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 301 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 27 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 287 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Sage | Dec 25 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 301 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 11 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 8 | Feb 5–Feb 19 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 5 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 10. | Oct 7 |
| Cosmos | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
| Lavender | Nov 27 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 308 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 19. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 8 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 16 |
| Melons | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 245 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 5. | Jul 29 |
| Mint | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 308 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 19. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Feb 26 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 266 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 26. | Sep 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 5. | Jul 31 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 19. | Aug 27 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 25 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 26. | Aug 8 |
| Watermelon | Feb 5 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 26. | Aug 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 5 | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 11 |
| Zinnias | Jan 22 | Feb 19–Mar 5 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 19 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 19. | Sep 6 |
Month by month in Iowa
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Eggplant (Jan 1), Calendula (Jan 8), Cauliflower (Jan 8), Marigolds (Jan 8), Pepper (Jan 8), Basil (Jan 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 8), Cilantro (Jan 22), Turnip (Jan 22), Carrots (Jan 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 22), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 22), Cabbage (Jan 22), Collards (Jan 22), Kale (Jan 22), Lettuce (Jan 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 15). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 5), Cantaloupe (Feb 5), Melons (Feb 5), Pumpkin (Feb 5), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 5), Watermelon (Feb 5), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 5), Sunflowers (Feb 19), Beans (Feb 26), Pole Beans (Feb 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 5), Swiss Chard (Feb 5), Bok Choy (Feb 12), Cauliflower (Feb 12), Cosmos (Feb 19), Lavender (Feb 19), +15 more. Last frost around February 19. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 5), Cantaloupe (Mar 5), Cucumber (Mar 5), Eggplant (Mar 5), Melons (Mar 5), Pepper (Mar 5), +6 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 21), Pumpkin (Jul 21), Cantaloupe (Jul 29), Celery (Jul 29), Melons (Jul 29), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 31). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 3), Watermelon (Aug 3), Pepper (Aug 8), Tomatillos (Aug 8), Eggplant (Aug 13), Corn (Aug 15), +1 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 1), Pole Beans (Sep 1), Basil (Sep 6), Cosmos (Sep 6), Cucumber (Sep 6), Zinnias (Sep 6), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 1), Carrots (Oct 1), Beets (Oct 2), Dill (Oct 2), Swiss Chard (Oct 2), Calendula (Oct 7), +10 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 27), Lavender (Nov 27), Onion (Nov 27), Rosemary (Nov 27). Last sowing dates: Radish (Nov 1). |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 11), Collards (Dec 11), Kale (Dec 11), Oregano (Dec 11), Parsley (Dec 11), Scallions (Dec 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 3), Arugula (Dec 25), Beets (Dec 25), Dill (Dec 25), Peas (Dec 25), Radish (Dec 25), +1 more. First frost around December 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 24). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Iowa, LA (ZIP 70647)?
The median last spring frost date for Iowa, LA (ZIP code 70647) is around February 19. 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 January 19; one in ten it runs past March 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Iowa, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Iowa, LA is around December 3. 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 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Iowa, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Iowa is about 287 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 Iowa (287 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 Iowa, LA?
Iowa, 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 Iowa, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 15 and plant out Mar 5 in Iowa. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Iowa?
Two: plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10.
When do I plant garlic in Iowa?
Dec 3 to Dec 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Iowa?
Yes: plant out Mar 5 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 3 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Lake Charles, LA 70605 (17.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Jennings, LA 70546 (20.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Sulphur, LA 70663 (22.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Crowley, LA 70526 (38 mi)
- Frost dates for Eunice, LA 70535 (38.8 mi)
- When to plant in LA
- When to plant Peppers in LA
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- When to plant Zucchini in LA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in LA
- When to plant Basil in LA
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