Frost Dates for Opelousas, LA 70570
Last spring frost February 24 · First fall frost November 29 · 278 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 70570 has about 37,600 people.
Very long season: 278 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 31–March 20 (48 days). Fall frost risk spans November 8–December 20 (42 days).
Frost probability for 70570
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 20 | February 24 | January 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 8 | November 29 | December 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CROWLEY 2 NE (39.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 278-day season in Opelousas
In Opelousas (278 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 20 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 10. | Jul 30 |
| Pepper | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 10. | Aug 4 |
| Lettuce | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 3 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 3–Feb 10 | 320 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 3. | Sep 27 |
| Cucumber | Feb 3 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Beans | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Peas | — | Dec 30–Mar 10 | 341 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 341 available after Dec 30. | Sep 18 |
| Zucchini | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Onion | Dec 2 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 313 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 313 available after Jan 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 30–Feb 17 | 355 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Kale | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 313 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 313 available after Jan 27. | Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 327 available after Jan 27. | Sep 27 |
| Radish | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 28 |
| Beets | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 10–Feb 17 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 29 | 383 | overwinter: Plant Nov 29 to Dec 20; harvest the following summer. | Dec 20 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 20–Mar 17 | 334 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 3. | Aug 11 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 10. | Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 13 | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 292 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 17. | Sep 8 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 30 | Feb 10–Feb 10 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 355 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Oct 27; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 27 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 30 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 327 available after Jan 27. | Aug 28 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 243 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 10. | Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Jan 6 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 236 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 10. | Aug 9 |
| Okra | Jan 27 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Basil | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 27–Feb 17 | 313 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Parsley | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 278 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 278 available after Mar 3. | Sep 13 |
| Celery | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 278 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 278 available after Mar 3. | Jul 25 |
| Scallions | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 17 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 13–Jan 27 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 13 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 12 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 27 | Feb 17–Feb 24 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 8 |
| Collards | Dec 16 | Jan 27–Feb 10 | 327 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 20. | Oct 7 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 236 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 10. | Jul 25 |
| Chives | Dec 2 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 30–Mar 24 | 341 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 30 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 6. | Sep 28 |
| Oregano | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 292 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 292 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 2 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 278 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 278 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Sage | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 292 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 292 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 16 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 13 | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 6. | Oct 3 |
| Cosmos | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
| Lavender | Dec 2 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Melons | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 236 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 10. | Jul 25 |
| Mint | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 257 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 3. | Aug 28 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 10. | Jul 27 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 24. | Aug 23 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 30 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 3. | Aug 4 |
| Watermelon | Feb 10 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 3. | Jul 30 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Zinnias | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 2 |
Month by month in Opelousas
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Eggplant (Jan 6), Calendula (Jan 13), Cauliflower (Jan 13), Marigolds (Jan 13), Pepper (Jan 13), Basil (Jan 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 13), Cilantro (Jan 27), Turnip (Jan 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 27), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 27), Cabbage (Jan 27), Collards (Jan 27), Kale (Jan 27), Lettuce (Jan 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 3), Butternut Squash (Feb 10), Cantaloupe (Feb 10), Melons (Feb 10), Pumpkin (Feb 10), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 3), Potatoes (Feb 10), Sunflowers (Feb 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 10), Swiss Chard (Feb 10), Bok Choy (Feb 17), Cauliflower (Feb 17), Cosmos (Feb 24), Lavender (Feb 24), +4 more. Last frost around February 24. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 3), Pole Beans (Mar 3). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 3), Chives (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Oregano (Mar 3), Parsley (Mar 3), +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 2), Lavender (Dec 2), Onion (Dec 2), Rosemary (Dec 2), Celery (Dec 16), Collards (Dec 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 30), Beets (Dec 30), Dill (Dec 30), Peas (Dec 30), Radish (Dec 30), Spinach (Dec 30). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 20). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Opelousas, LA (ZIP 70570)?
The median last spring frost date for Opelousas, LA (ZIP code 70570) is around February 24. 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 31; one in ten it runs past March 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Opelousas, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Opelousas, 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Opelousas, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Opelousas is about 278 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 Opelousas (278 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 Opelousas, LA?
Opelousas, 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 Opelousas, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 20 and plant out Mar 10 in Opelousas. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Opelousas?
Two: plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Dec 6.
When do I plant garlic in Opelousas?
Nov 29 to Dec 20; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Opelousas?
Yes: plant out Mar 10 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 30 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Arnaudville (ZIP 70512) has 288 frost-free days, 10 more than Opelousas (ZIP 70570). See Arnaudville ZIP 70512 frost dates
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