Frost Dates for New Orleans, LA
In New Orleans, LA, the average last spring frost is around Jan 22 and the average first fall frost around Jan 5, for a growing season of about 348 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Feb 23, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, LA weather station, 6 miles away, elevation 9 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% | Feb 23 | Dec 13 |
| 20% | Feb 9 | Dec 23 |
| 30% | Feb 1 | Dec 29 |
| 40% | Jan 27 | Jan 1 |
| 50% | Jan 22 | Jan 5 |
| 60% | Jan 17 | Jan 9 |
| 70% | Jan 12 | Jan 15 |
| 80% | Jan 5 | Jan 20 |
| 90% | Dec 28 | Feb 1 |
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) | Feb 4 | Dec 26 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 22 | Jan 5 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 18 | Jan 11 |
Planting calendar for New Orleans
Transplant Jan 29 – Feb 12
Transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Jan 29 – Feb 12
Sow or transplant Jan 29 – Feb 12
Sow or transplant Jan 29 – Feb 12
Sow or transplant Feb 5 – Feb 19
Sow or transplant Dec 25 – Jan 8
Fall sowing Nov 10 – Dec 8
Fall sowing Nov 10 – Dec 1
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 10
Sow or transplant Dec 25 – Jan 8
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 24
Transplant Jan 8 – Jan 22
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Transplant Jan 1 – Jan 15
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Oct 13 – Oct 27
Fall sowing Nov 24 – Dec 15
Fall sowing Oct 27 – Nov 10
Plant Dec 25 – Jan 8
Based on the average last frost (Jan 22) and first frost (Jan 5). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.