When is the last frost in Baton Rouge, LA?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Baton Rouge is February 25, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until March 19.

When is the first frost in Baton Rouge?

The average first fall frost in Baton Rouge is November 26, with a growing season of about 276 days.

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana frost dates

Average last spring frost: February 25. Average first fall frost: November 26. That gives a growing season of about 276 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is March 19, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Feb 25

1-in-10 risk after Mar 19

First frost (50%)

Nov 26

1-in-10 risk before Nov 7

Growing season

276 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Feb 6

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	January 29	December 19
70%	February 15	December 3
50%	February 25	November 26
30%	March 7	November 17
10%	March 19	November 7

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after March 19. These are NOAA probabilities for the Baton Rouge Ryan Airport weather station (USW00013970, elevation 20 m), 1991–2020.

Baton Rouge vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (February 25). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Mar 19) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Feb 4	Mar 4 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Dec 17	Jan 28
Brussels sprouts	Dec 17	Jan 28
Cabbage	Dec 10	Jan 21
Cauliflower	Dec 31	Feb 11
Sweet corn	Jan 28	Feb 25 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Feb 11	Mar 4
Kale	Dec 10	Jan 21
Leeks	Nov 12	Jan 21
Lettuce	Jan 7	Feb 11
Melons	Feb 18	Mar 11
Onions	Nov 5	Jan 14 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Dec 31	Jan 28 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Jan 14	Mar 11
Squash	Feb 18	Mar 11
Tomatoes	Dec 31	Feb 25

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 26. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before November 7. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around December 11.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
New Orleans, LA	Jan 30	Dec 31	~105 km
Jackson, MS	Mar 14	Nov 14	~223 km
Shreveport, LA	Mar 9	Nov 18	~334 km
Houston, TX	Feb 13	Dec 9	~408 km
Little Rock, AR	Mar 21	Nov 10	~477 km
Montgomery, AL	Mar 13	Nov 13	~494 km

More: all Louisiana frost dates