Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 70737 (Gonzales, 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, Carville 2 SW, LA (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 1350% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)308 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
Get The Dial for 70737 (Gonzales)
Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 70737, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
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.
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 (57 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 (57 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 70737 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 Mar 27 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 sowing Oct 4–Nov 1
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 18–Nov 8
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 8
- Kale: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Collards: fall transplant Sep 20–Oct 18
- Kohlrabi: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 15
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Swiss chard: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Beet: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Turnip: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Green onion / scallion: fall sowing Oct 4–18
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 18–Nov 1
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Oct 4–Nov 1
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 13: 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 12 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 9 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 10 |
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 16 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 13 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 11 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Feb 28 | Nov 27 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 27 | Jan 1 (next year) |
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 70737
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 9) and first fall frost (Dec 13). 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 | Dec 15–29 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 1–15 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 1–15 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 15–29 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 15–29 | Jan 19–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 8 (transplant) Oct 4–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Dec 29–Jan 19 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 8 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 18 (transplant) Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 1–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 1–15 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 15–29 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 12–26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 15 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Jan 26–Feb 16 (transplant) Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 12–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 5–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Nov 1–15 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 12–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 15–Jan 12 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Dec 29–Jan 26 (sow outdoors) | Oct 4–18 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Nov 1–29 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Dec 29–Jan 12 (transplant) | Nov 1–29 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 2–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 20–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 12–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 12–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 12–19 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 17–Dec 1 | Feb 16–23 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Dec 29–Jan 12 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Jan 26–Feb 23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 1–15 | Jan 26–Feb 9 (transplant) Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Oct 18–Nov 1 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 12–26 (transplant) | Oct 4–Nov 1 (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 9 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Carville 2 SW, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00161565), elevation 25 ft, 12.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donaldsonville 4 SW, LA | 12 mi | Feb 21 | Dec 5 |
| Lsu Ben-hur Farm, LA | 17 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 26 |
| Brusly 2 W, LA | 24 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 24 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 19 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 70737
When is the last frost in 70737?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 70737 is February 9. For a more cautious planting date, use March 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 70737?
The average first fall freeze is December 13. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 16.
What hardiness zone is 70737?
ZIP 70737 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 70737 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
70734 70769 Prairieville 70725 Darrow 70778 Sorrento 70733 French Settlement 70721 St. Gabriel 70774 70346 Donaldsonville
Other ZIP codes in Ascension Parish
70346 70725 70734 70769 70774 70778 All Ascension Parish frost dates · Louisiana frost dates
Never miss a frost: get The Dial
Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
- Soil-temp heads-up
- Weekly yard to-dos
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.