Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 70570 (Opelousas, LA)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Grand Coteau, LA (9 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 2850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 2350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)267 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
75°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 73°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (34 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (34 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 70570 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically September to early October).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about Apr 15 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall transplant Sep 28–Oct 19
- Spinach: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 19
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 28–Oct 26
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 12–26
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 9
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 12–Nov 9
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 23: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Jan 31 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 28 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 25 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 5 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 23 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 16 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 18 | Nov 13 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 28 | Nov 23 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 6 | Dec 8 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 70570
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Nov 23). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 3–17 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 3–17 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 3–17 | Feb 7–28 (transplant) Jan 31–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 19 (transplant) Sep 14–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 17–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 19 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 3–17 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 3–17 | Jan 31–Feb 28 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 28 (transplant) Aug 17–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) | Aug 17–Sep 14 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 3–24 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 3–17 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 26 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 17–31 | Feb 14–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 14–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 31–Feb 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 24–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Oct 12–26 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 31–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 6–20 | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 17–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 14–28 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 6–20 | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 17–31 (transplant) | Oct 12–Nov 9 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Aug 3–17 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 21–Apr 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 31–Feb 7 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 31–Feb 7 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 31–Sep 14 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 31–Feb 7 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 31–Feb 7 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 31–Feb 7 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 17–31 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 6–20 | Mar 7–14 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 17–31 | Mar 7–21 (transplant) Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 14–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 20–Jan 3 | Feb 14–28 (transplant) Feb 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 28–Oct 12 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 28–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 31–Feb 14 (transplant) | Sep 14–Oct 12 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Louisiana has a university or garden plant program: Louisiana Super Plants. Plant frost-tender annuals after February 28 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Grand Coteau, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00163800), elevation 55 ft, 8.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eunice, LA | 19 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 27 |
| Lafayette, LA | 22 mi | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Lafayette Rgnl AP, LA | 24 mi | Feb 13 | Dec 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 15 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 70570
When is the last frost in 70570?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 70570 is February 28. For a more cautious planting date, use March 25, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 70570?
The average first fall freeze is November 23. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 5.
What hardiness zone is 70570?
ZIP 70570 is in USDA zone 9a (20 to 25°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 70570 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
70550 Lawtell 70541 Grand Coteau 70551 Leonville 70584 Sunset 70525 Church Point 70589 Washington 70577 Port Barre 70524 Chataignier
Other ZIP codes in St. Landry Parish
70512 70541 70550 70551 70577 70584 70589 70750 71345 71353 71356 71358 All St. Landry Parish frost dates · Louisiana frost dates
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.