When to Plant in Louisiana: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 539 Louisiana ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Feb 28 and the median first fall frost is Nov 24 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 8 areas: Mar 19 – Mar 26; Zone 9 areas: Mar 5 – Mar 12.
Louisiana spans USDA hardiness zones 8b–10a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 539 of its 539 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Feb 28 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Feb 5 – Mar 16) and the median first fall frost is Nov 24 (Nov 10 – Dec 19). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Louisiana frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 8 (147 ZIP codes) | Mooringsport 1 N, LA, Mansfield 4 Nw, LA, Rayville, LA | Mar 12middle 80%: Mar 5 – Mar 24 | Nov 15middle 80%: Nov 7 – Nov 24 |
| Zone 9 (381 ZIP codes) | Bunkie, LA, Baton Rouge Ryan Airport, LA, New Orleans Intl Airport, LA | Feb 26middle 80%: Feb 1 – Mar 8 | Nov 27middle 80%: Nov 18 – Dec 31 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Louisiana ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (6 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Atlanta, TX, El Dorado S Ar Rgnl Airport, AR, Eudora, AR, Natchez, MS, Orange 9 N, TX, Picayune, MS…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Louisiana vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Louisiana, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 12 · First frost Nov 15 | Zone 9 areasLast frost Feb 26 · First frost Nov 27 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Dec 18 – Jan 1 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Jan 29 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Mar 30 – May 3 | Jan 15 – Jan 29Harvest (est.) Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Jan 29 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Mar 15 – Apr 13 | Jan 15 – Jan 29Harvest (est.) Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Feb 5 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) Feb 25 – Mar 28 | Jan 22 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) Apr 13 – May 17 | Jan 29 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Mar 30 – May 3 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 26 | Jan 29 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Apr 24 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) Apr 3 – May 7 | Jan 29 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) Apr 23 – May 27 | Jan 29 – Feb 12Harvest (est.) Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Feb 5 – Feb 26 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Feb 19 – Mar 12 | Feb 5 – Feb 26 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Feb 26 – Mar 5Harvest (est.) May 22 – Jun 23 | Feb 12 – Feb 19Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 9 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Mar 26Harvest (est.) May 28 – Jun 24 | Mar 5 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 10 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Mar 26Harvest (est.) May 3 – Jun 4 | Mar 5 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – May 21 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Mar 26Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 24 | Mar 5 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) May 9 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Mar 26Harvest (est.) Apr 28 – May 30 | Mar 5 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Apr 14 – May 16 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Mar 26Harvest (est.) Apr 28 – May 15 | Mar 5 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Apr 14 – May 1 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 11 | Mar 5 – Mar 19Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 27 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 19 – Mar 26Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – May 7 | Mar 5 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Apr 16 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Mar 26 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) May 30 – Jun 16 | Mar 12 – Mar 19Harvest (est.) May 16 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Mar 26 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 1 | Mar 12 – Mar 19Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 23 – Sep 6Harvest (est.) Oct 12 – Nov 15 | Sep 4 – Sep 18Harvest (est.) Oct 24 – Nov 27 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 23 – Sep 6Harvest (est.) Nov 1 – Dec 5 | Sep 4 – Sep 18Harvest (est.) Nov 13 – Dec 17 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 6 – Sep 20Harvest (est.) Oct 26 – Nov 29 | Sep 18 – Oct 2Harvest (est.) Nov 7 – Dec 11 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 20 – Oct 4Harvest (est.) Nov 19 – Dec 23 | Oct 2 – Oct 16Harvest (est.) Dec 1 – Jan 4, 2027 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 27 – Oct 18Harvest (est.) Nov 11 – Dec 17 | Oct 9 – Oct 30Harvest (est.) Nov 23 – Dec 29 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Oct 4 – Oct 18Harvest (est.) Oct 24 – Nov 17 | Oct 16 – Oct 30Harvest (est.) Nov 5 – Nov 29 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 18 – Nov 29 | Oct 30 – Dec 11 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Nov 1 – Dec 13 | Nov 13 – Dec 25 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Nov 1 – Dec 6Harvest (est.) Jul 9, 2027 – Sep 2, 2027 | Nov 13 – Dec 18Harvest (est.) Jul 21, 2027 – Sep 14, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Louisiana USDA zone guides: Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide Zone 10 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Louisiana gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
Across the 539 Louisiana ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Feb 28, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Feb 5 to Mar 16. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Louisiana?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 8 areas: Mar 19 – Mar 26; Zone 9 areas: Mar 5 – Mar 12.
What USDA zone is Louisiana?
Louisiana spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 8b–10a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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