Fall in zone 9bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 70548 (Kaplan, 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, Leland Bowman Lock, LA (13 miles away).
- Average last spring frostFeb 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostDec 550% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)298 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone9b25 to 30°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
75°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 Lafayette 13 SE (39 mi).
4-inch depth
77°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 77°F, as of Oct 18, 1:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lafayette 13 SE (39 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 70548 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 77°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): not yet. Apply as soil cools toward 70°F (typically October to early November).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Gulf Coast and peninsular Florida. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- St. Augustinegrass (warm-season): Spring: About 2–3 weeks after full green-up (May in the Carolinas; earlier in Florida and south Texas) (about Mar 28 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Light feedings June–August where local rules allow; Last: No later than about mid-September in the Carolinas, about 6–8 weeks before first frost elsewhere. Avoid: Feeding before green-up or late in fall (feeds weeds and favors large patch and cold injury).
Plant now
- Lettuce: fall sowing Sep 26–Oct 24
- Lettuce: fall transplant Oct 10–31
- Spinach: fall sowing Oct 10–31
- Bok choy / Asian greens: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Arugula: fall sowing Oct 10–Nov 7
- Mustard greens: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Cilantro: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Dill: fall sowing Oct 10–24
- Strawberry (plants): fall transplant Sep 26–Oct 24
Coming up in the next 3 weeks
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Dec 5: 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) | Jan 19 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Feb 17 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 13 |
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 13 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Dec 5 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Jan 4 (next year) |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 5 | Nov 21 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Feb 17 | Dec 5 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Jan 29 | Dec 25 |
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 70548
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Feb 17) and first fall frost (Dec 5). 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 | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | Aug 8–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 9–23 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 9–23 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 27–Feb 17 (transplant) Jan 20–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–31 (transplant) Sep 26–Oct 24 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–31 (sowing) |
| Kale | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Collards | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 17 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–Oct 10 (transplant) Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 9–23 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Dec 23–Jan 6 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 6–20 | Feb 3–24 (transplant) Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Jan 20–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Jan 27–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 13–Feb 24 (sow outdoors) | Oct 24–Nov 7 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Jan 20–Feb 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Dec 23–Jan 20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 6–Feb 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 26–Oct 10 (sowing) |
| Leek | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 24–Nov 21 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 6–20 (transplant) | Oct 24–Nov 21 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Aug 15–29 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 12–26 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Jan 20–27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Jan 20–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Jan 20–27 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 6–20 | Mar 3–17 (transplant) Mar 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Nov 25–Dec 9 | Feb 24–Mar 3 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 6–20 | Feb 24–Mar 10 (transplant) Feb 24–Mar 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 3–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 9–23 | Feb 3–17 (transplant) Jan 27–Feb 17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | Oct 10–24 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Feb 17–Mar 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Jan 20–Feb 3 (transplant) | Sep 26–Oct 24 (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 February 17 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Leland Bowman Lock, LA (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00165296), elevation 40 ft, 12.9 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockefeller Wl Refuge, LA | 24 mi | Feb 2 | Dec 23 |
| Lake Arthur 7 SW, LA | 26 mi | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
| Crowley 2 NE, LA | 31 mi | Feb 20 | Dec 4 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 18 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 70548
When is the last frost in 70548?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 70548 is February 17. For a more cautious planting date, use March 13, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 70548?
The average first fall freeze is December 5. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 13.
What hardiness zone is 70548?
ZIP 70548 is in USDA zone 9b (25 to 30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 70548 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
70510 Abbeville 70542 Gueydan 70575 Perry 70643 70533 Erath 70559 Morse 70534 Estherwood 70555 Maurice
Other ZIP codes in Vermilion Parish
70510 70533 70542 70555 70575 All Vermilion 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.