Frost Dates for Lake Charles, LA
In Lake Charles, LA, the average last spring frost is around Feb 14 and the average first fall frost around Dec 7, for a growing season of about 299 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 11, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Lake Charles, LA weather station, 5 miles away, elevation 13 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Mar 11 | Nov 14 |
| 20% | Mar 4 | Nov 23 |
| 30% | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| 40% | Feb 21 | Dec 3 |
| 50% | Feb 14 | Dec 7 |
| 60% | Feb 6 | Dec 14 |
| 70% | Jan 31 | Dec 22 |
| 80% | Jan 25 | Jan 1 |
| 90% | Jan 16 | Jan 7 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 14 | Dec 7 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 27 | Jan 3 |
Planting calendar for Lake Charles
Transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Transplant Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Feb 28 – Mar 14
Transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Sow or transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Sow or transplant Feb 21 – Mar 7
Sow or transplant Feb 28 – Mar 14
Sow or transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Fall sowing Oct 12 – Nov 9
Fall sowing Oct 12 – Nov 2
Fall sowing Sep 28 – Oct 12
Sow or transplant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Fall sowing Sep 28 – Oct 26
Transplant Jan 31 – Feb 14
Fall sowing Sep 14 – Sep 28
Transplant Jan 24 – Feb 7
Fall sowing Sep 14 – Sep 28
Fall sowing Sep 14 – Sep 28
Fall sowing Oct 26 – Nov 16
Fall sowing Sep 28 – Oct 12
Plant Jan 17 – Jan 31
Based on the average last frost (Feb 14) and first frost (Dec 7). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.