Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 71073 (Sibley, 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, Minden, LA (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)241 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 (52 mi), Green Hill (60 mi).
4-inch depth
73°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 Nansco Farms (52 mi), Green Hill (60 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 71073 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°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 May 2 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 14: 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 26 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 6 |
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) | Oct 28 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 14 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 3 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 3 | Nov 2 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 17 | Nov 14 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 1 | Nov 27 |
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 71073
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 14). 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 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 6–20 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 24–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (transplant) Sep 5–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 3–24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 17 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 19 (transplant) Aug 8–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 6–20 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 15 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 20–Feb 3 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 17 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 3–17 | Mar 3–24 (transplant) Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 17–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 10–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 3–17 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 17–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 5–19 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Oct 3–31 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Jul 25–Aug 8 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 7–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 22–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 17–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 17–24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 3–17 | Mar 31–Apr 14 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Mar 24–31 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 3–17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 3–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | Sep 19–Oct 3 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 17–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (transplant) | Sep 5–Oct 3 (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 17 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Minden, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00166244), elevation 185 ft, 6.4 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red River Rsch STN, LA | 20 mi | Mar 6 | Nov 18 |
| Bienville 3 NE, LA | 24 mi | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Benton 5E, LA | 24 mi | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 71073
When is the last frost in 71073?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 71073 is March 17. For a more cautious planting date, use April 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 71073?
The average first fall freeze is November 14. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 28.
What hardiness zone is 71073?
ZIP 71073 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 71073 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
71024 Dubberly 71039 Heflin 71023 Doyline 71037 Red Chute 71067 71055 Minden 71028 Mount Lebanon 71045 Jamestown
Other ZIP codes in Webster Parish
71018 71021 71023 71024 71039 71055 71071 71072 71075 All Webster 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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- 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.