Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 71303 (Alexandria, 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, Alexandria Intl AP, LA (4 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 250% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)260 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
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 71303 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring mid-February to early March; fall 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 17 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 22–Oct 20
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 17: 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 6 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 2 |
| 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 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 17 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 9 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 19 | Nov 6 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 2 | Nov 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 15 | 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 71303
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 17). 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 5–19 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 5–19 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 5–19 | Feb 9–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 2–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 19–Feb 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 5–19 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 9 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 9–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 26–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 9–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 5–Feb 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 8–22 | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 8–22 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 19–Feb 2 (transplant) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 2–9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 2–9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 2–9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 2–9 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 2–9 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 16–30 (transplant) Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 8–22 | Mar 9–16 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) Mar 9–23 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 9–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 2–16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (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 2 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Alexandria Intl AP, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00093915), elevation 84 ft, 3.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 6 mi | Feb 27 | Nov 27 |
| Alexandria 5 SSE, LA | 6 mi | Mar 3 | Nov 22 |
| Lsu Dean Lee Rsch STN, LA | 11 mi | Mar 1 | Nov 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 7 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 71303
When is the last frost in 71303?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 71303 is March 2. 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 71303?
The average first fall freeze is November 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 71303?
ZIP 71303 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 71303 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
71301 Alexandria 71485 Woodworth 71359 Pineville 71409 Boyce 71424 71360 Pineville 71302 Alexandria 71405 Ball
Other ZIP codes in Rapides Parish
71301 71302 71325 71328 71330 71346 71359 71360 71405 71409 71424 71427 71430 71433 71447 71466 71472 71485 All Rapides Parish frost dates · Louisiana frost dates
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- 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.