Fall in zone 9aPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 71331 (Avoyelles Parish, 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 Esler Rgnl AP, LA (17 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1650% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)239 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9a20 to 25°F avg. coldest night
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Frost and freeze alerts from the NWS forecast for 71331, the spring soil-temperature heads-up for pre-emergent, and a short weekly yard-timing email.
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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 71331 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 May 1 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 8: 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 25 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 16 |
| 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 26 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 8 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 28 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 31 | Oct 31 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 16 | Nov 8 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 28 | Nov 22 |
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 71331
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 8). 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 19–Feb 2 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 5–19 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 5–19 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 23–Mar 16 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (transplant) Aug 30–Sep 27 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 16 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 5–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 5–19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 2–30 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 19–Feb 2 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 2–16 | Mar 2–23 (transplant) Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 16–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 9–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Sep 27–Oct 11 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 16–Mar 9 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 19–Feb 16 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 2–Mar 2 (sow outdoors) | Aug 30–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 2–16 (transplant) | Sep 27–Oct 25 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 16–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 16–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 16–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 16–23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 16–23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 2–16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 22–Jan 5 | Mar 23–30 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 2–16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 5–19 | Mar 2–16 (transplant) Feb 23–Mar 16 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Sep 13–27 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 16–30 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 16–Mar 2 (transplant) | Aug 30–Sep 27 (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 16 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Alexandria Esler Rgnl AP, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USW00013935), elevation 112 ft, 16.7 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesville Locks, LA | 20 mi | Mar 6 | Nov 22 |
| Lsu Dean Lee Rsch STN, LA | 21 mi | Mar 1 | Nov 22 |
| Bunkie, LA | 21 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 71331
When is the last frost in 71331?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 71331 is March 16. 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 71331?
The average first fall freeze is November 8. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 26.
What hardiness zone is 71331?
ZIP 71331 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 71331 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
71351 Fifth Ward 71323 Center Point 71328 Deville 71350 Mansura 71330 Echo 71341 Hessmer 71360 Pineville 71302 Alexandria
Other ZIP codes in Avoyelles Parish
71320 71322 71323 71327 71333 71339 71341 71350 71351 71355 71362 71369 All Avoyelles 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.