Last frost date in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
February 28
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by January 31; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after March 21.
November 26
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by November 6.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lsu Ben-hur Farm (USC00165620), 5.6 miles from Baton Rouge, elevation 21 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Jan 31 | Feb 28 | Mar 21 |
| First frost in fall | Nov 6 | Nov 26 | Dec 22 |
An early or late year is one in 10: 1 year in 10 the frost comes before the early date, and 1 year in 10 after the late date.
Frost-free days in an average year: 272
Planting calendar for Baton Rouge
Fall planting
USDA dates for places whose average first freeze is about November 30 (Baton Rouge: November 26).
- OkraJune 1 – Sept 20 (past for this year)
- SoybeansJune 1 – July 30 (past for this year)
- Summer squashJune 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Sweet potatoesJune 1 – July 1 (past for this year)
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Nov 1Now
- Peppers plantsJune 15 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Black-eyed peasJuly 1 – Sept 10 (past for this year)
- Eggplant plantsJuly 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- CucumbersJuly 15 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- Winter squashJuly 15 – Aug 15 (past for this year)
- Broccoli plantsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Brussels sprouts plantsAug 1 – Oct 1 (past for this year)
- Celery and celeriac plantsAug 1 – Dec 1Now
- Lima beansAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- PotatoesAug 1 – Sept 15 (past for this year)
- TomatoesAug 1 – Sept 1 (past for this year)
- Cauliflower plantsAug 15 – Oct 10 (past for this year)
- SalsifyAug 15 – Sept 30 (past for this year)
- ShallotsAug 15 – Oct 15 (past for this year)
- Snap beansAug 15 – Sept 20 (past for this year)
- Witloof chicoryAug 15 – Sept 30 (past for this year)
- BeetsSept 1 – Dec 15Now
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chinese cabbageSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Collards plantsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- EndiveSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- Florence fennelSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- GarlicSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- Head lettuce plantsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KaleSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KohlrabiSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Leaf lettuceSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- LeeksSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- Mustard greensSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Onion seedSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- ParsleySept 1 – Dec 31Now
- ParsnipsSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- RadishesSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- RutabagaSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- SorrelSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- TurnipsSept 1 – Nov 15Now
- CarrotsSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- DandelionSept 15 – Dec 15Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Garden peasOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Onion plants plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- SpinachOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chervil and chivesNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Onion setsNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
USDA lists horseradish as generally spring-planted here.
Spring planting
USDA dates for places whose average last freeze is about February 28 (Baton Rouge: February 28).
- Corn saladJan 1 – Mar 1
- Leaf lettuceJan 1 – Mar 15
- Onion plants plantsJan 1 – Feb 1
- Onion seedJan 1 – Feb 15
- Onion setsJan 1 – Mar 1
- RadishesJan 1 – Apr 1
- RutabagaJan 1 – Feb 1
- ShallotsJan 1 – Mar 1
- SpinachJan 1 – Mar 1
- Cabbage plantsJan 15 – Feb 25
- Chervil and chivesJan 15 – Feb 15
- Collards plantsJan 15 – Mar 15
- DandelionJan 15 – Mar 1
- Garden peasJan 15 – Mar 1
- Head lettuce plantsJan 15 – Feb 15
- LeeksJan 15 – Feb 15
- ParsleyJan 15 – Mar 1
- ParsnipsJan 15 – Feb 15
- PotatoesJan 15 – Mar 1
- SalsifyJan 15 – Mar 1
- Cauliflower plantsJan 20 – Feb 20
- TurnipsJan 20 – Mar 1
- BeetsFeb 1 – Apr 15
- Broccoli plantsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Brussels sprouts plantsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- CarrotsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Celery and celeriac plantsFeb 1 – Mar 1
- EndiveFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Florence fennelFeb 1 – Mar 1
- KaleFeb 1 – 20
- KohlrabiFeb 1 – 20
- Mustard greensFeb 1 – Mar 1
- SorrelFeb 1 – Mar 10
- Swiss chardFeb 1 – May 1
- Upland cressFeb 1 – Mar 1
- Cantaloupe (muskmelon)Mar 1 – Apr 15
- CucumbersMar 1 – Apr 15
- Sweet cornMar 1 – Apr 15
- WatermelonMar 1 – Apr 15
- Black-eyed peasMar 10 – June 20
- Eggplant plantsMar 10 – Apr 15
- OkraMar 10 – June 1
- Snap beansMar 10 – May 15
- TomatoesMar 10 – May 1
- Lima beansMar 15 – June 1
- New Zealand spinachMar 15 – May 15
- Peppers plantsMar 15 – May 1
- Summer squashMar 15 – May 15
- SoybeansMar 20 – June 30
- Sweet potatoesMar 20 – June 1
USDA lists chinese cabbage, garlic as generally fall-planted here.
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5 (earliest safe spring and latest safe fall dates), applied to this place's NOAA frost dates. “Plants” means setting out transplants, not sowing seed. How we match the table.