When is the last frost in Lake Charles, LA?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Lake Charles is around February 14, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lake Charles, LA station (7 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 Lake Charles?

The average first fall frost in Lake Charles, LA is around December 7, giving roughly a 299-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Lake Charles, LA?

Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles?

In Lake Charles, LA the warmest month is August (avg high 92.8°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 43.4°F). It averages about 59.7″ of precipitation a year.

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Lake Charles, LA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9a · ZIP 70601 · elevation 4′ · NOAA & USDA data

Lake Charles 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 14) and first fall frost (December 7). The warmest month is August (avg high 92.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low 43.4°F). It averages 59.7″ 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 14

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

299 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

August

avg high 92.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Lake Charles

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Lake Charles, LA (7 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	63	43.4	53.2	5.9	–
February	66.7	47.1	56.9	3.3	–
March	73.1	53.1	63.1	3.7	–
April	79	59.3	69.1	4.4	–
May	85.4	67.3	76.4	5.4	–
June	90.5	73.7	82.1	6.5	–
July	92.2	75.6	83.9	5.7	–
August	92.8	75.1	84	6.2	–
September	89.4	70.7	80.1	5.2	–
October	82.1	60.4	71.3	4.8	–
November	72.2	50.6	61.4	4.1	–
December	65.3	45.3	55.3	4.6	–

What to plant when in Lake Charles

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 3 · Transplant out: February 21
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 20 · Transplant out: February 28
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 21
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 21
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 21
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 21
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 21
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): January 10 · Sow (fall): October 12
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 3 · Sow (fall): October 12
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 17 · Sow (fall): October 12
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 24 · Sow (fall): September 28
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 31
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 24 · Sow (fall): September 28
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 17
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 31
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 17 · Sow (fall): October 26

Dates are computed from Lake Charles'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

Lafayette, LA Alexandria, LA Baton Rouge, LA Shreveport, LA Bossier City, LA Monroe, LA Kenner, LA New Orleans, 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 — Lake Charles, LA, 7 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Lake Charles, LA, 7 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.