When is the last frost in Lafayette, LA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Lafayette is around February 13, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA station (2.4 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Lafayette?

The average first fall frost in Lafayette, LA is around December 4, giving roughly a 299-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Lafayette, LA?

Lafayette is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 20 to 25°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Lafayette?

In Lafayette, LA the warmest month is August (avg high 91.6°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 41.2°F). It averages about 64.7″ of precipitation a year.

Home › Louisiana › Lafayette

Lafayette, LA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9a · ZIP 70501 · elevation 8′ · NOAA & USDA data

Lafayette is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (winters can dip to 20 to 25°F), with a growing season of about 299 days between the average last spring frost (February 13) and first fall frost (December 4). The warmest month is August (avg high 91.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 41.2°F). It averages 64.7″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 20 to 25°F

Last spring frost

February 13

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

299 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 91.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Lafayette

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Lafayette, LA (4.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	61.5	41.2	51.4	6.1
February	65.7	44.7	55.2	4.5
March	71.9	51.1	61.5	3.8
April	78.4	57.1	67.8	5.5
May	85	65.1	75	4.9
June	90	71.5	80.8	7
July	91	73.1	82	6.3
August	91.6	72.9	82.2	6.5
September	87.8	68.5	78.1	5.2
October	80.7	58.5	69.6	5
November	70.8	48.5	59.7	4.8
December	63.8	43	53.4	5.2

What to plant when in Lafayette

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 2 · Transplant out: February 20
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 19 · Transplant out: February 27
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 20
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 20
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 20
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 20
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 20
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): January 9 · Sow (fall): October 9
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 2 · Sow (fall): October 9
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 16 · Sow (fall): October 9
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 23 · Sow (fall): September 25
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 30
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 23 · Sow (fall): September 25
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 16
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 30
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 16 · Sow (fall): October 23

Dates are computed from Lafayette's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Louisiana

Baton Rouge, LA Lake Charles, LA Alexandria, LA Kenner, LA New Orleans, LA Monroe, LA Shreveport, LA Bossier City, LA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA, 2.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Lafayette, LA, 4.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.