Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 71037 (Red Chute, 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, Red River Rsch STN, LA (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)256 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°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
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 71°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Nansco Farms (42 mi), Green Hill (52 mi).
4-inch depth
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 72°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Nansco Farms (42 mi), Green Hill (52 mi), City of Carthage (56 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 71037 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 72°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
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 21 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
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 23–Oct 21
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 7–21
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 7–Nov 4
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 7–Nov 4
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 18: 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) | Feb 15 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 6 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 26 |
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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 6 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 22 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 6 | Nov 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 22 | Dec 1 |
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 71037
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 6) and first fall frost (Nov 18). 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 9–23 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | Jul 22–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 9–23 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 9–23 | Feb 13–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 14 (transplant) Sep 9–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 23–Feb 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 14 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 23 (transplant) Aug 12–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Aug 12–Sep 9 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 9–23 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 21 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Feb 20–Mar 13 (transplant) Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 13–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 30–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Oct 7–21 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 9–Feb 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 12–26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 23–Feb 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 9–23 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 12–26 | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 7–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 23–Feb 6 (transplant) | Oct 7–Nov 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 29–Aug 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 27–Apr 10 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 27–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 26–Sep 9 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 6–13 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 6–13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 6–13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 12–26 | Mar 13–20 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 13–27 (transplant) Mar 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 26–Jan 9 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) Feb 13–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 23–Oct 7 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 6–20 (transplant) | Sep 9–Oct 7 (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 March 6 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Red River Rsch STN, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00167738), elevation 155 ft, 9.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minden, LA | 14 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 14 |
| Shreveport Dwtn AP, LA | 16 mi | Feb 28 | Nov 24 |
| Shreveport Sthrn Hills, LA | 18 mi | Mar 12 | Nov 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 20 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 71037
When is the last frost in 71037?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 71037 is March 6. For a more cautious planting date, use March 26, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 71037?
The average first fall freeze is November 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 71037?
ZIP 71037 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 71037 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
71023 Doyline 71110 Bossier City 71112 Bossier City 71067 71073 Sibley 71051 71039 Heflin 71105 Shreveport
Other ZIP codes in Bossier Parish
71006 71051 71064 71067 71110 71111 71112 All Bossier Parish frost dates · Louisiana frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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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.