Frost Dates for Lake Charles, LA 70609
Lake Charles has 7 ZIP codes. The Lake Charles, LA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 19 · First fall frost December 3 · 287 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b–8a (est.)
ZIP 70609 has about 357 people, one of 7 ZIP codes in Lake Charles.
Very long season: 287 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 1–March 16 (43 days). Fall frost risk spans November 9–December 12 (33 days).
Frost probability for 70609
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 16 | February 19 | February 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 9 | December 3 | December 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAKE CHARLES AP (6.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 287-day season in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles (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 Lake Charles
| 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 Lake Charles, LA (ZIP 70609)?
The median last spring frost date for Lake Charles, LA (ZIP code 70609) 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 February 1; one in ten it runs past March 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Lake Charles, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Lake Charles, 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 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lake Charles, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles (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 Lake Charles, LA?
Lake Charles, LA is approximately in USDA zone 7b–8a. The 2023 USDA map does not list ZIP 70609, so this is estimated from local frost patterns; check the USDA map for your exact address.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Lake Charles, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 15 and plant out Mar 5 in Lake Charles. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lake Charles?
Two: plant Jan 22 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 10.
When do I plant garlic in Lake Charles?
Dec 3 to Dec 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lake Charles?
Yes: plant out Mar 5 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 3 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bridge City (ZIP 77611) has 295 frost-free days, 8 more than Lake Charles (ZIP 70609). See Bridge City ZIP 77611 frost dates
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- When to plant in Lake Charles, LA: month-by-month guide
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