Planting calendar for Louisiana
Short answer
Most of Louisiana is in climate zone 2, with an average last spring frost around Feb 15 and first fall frost around Dec 5. Plant hardy crops before the last frost, tender crops after. Enter your ZIP for dates tuned to your exact area.
Last spring frost
Feb 15
First fall frost
Dec 5
Climate zone(s)
2, 3
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Jan 11 | Mar 12 |
| Spinach | — | Jan 11 | Feb 25 |
| Radishes | — | Jan 18 | Feb 15 |
| Kale | Jan 11 | Jan 18 | Mar 14 |
| Onions | Dec 7 | Jan 18 | Apr 28 |
| Lettuce | Jan 18 | Jan 25 | Mar 16 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 25 | Apr 5 |
| Beets | — | Jan 25 | Mar 21 |
| Strawberries | — | Jan 25 | Apr 25 |
| Blueberries | — | Jan 25 | Year 2–3 |
| Broccoli | Jan 4 | Feb 1 | Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Jan 4 | Feb 1 | Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 1 | May 2 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 1 | Mar 18 |
| Blackberries | — | Feb 1 | Year 2–3 |
| Nasturtiums | — | Feb 15 | Apr 11 |
| Zucchini / squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22 | Apr 13 |
| Green beans | — | Feb 22 | Apr 18 |
| Sweet corn | — | Feb 22 | May 8 |
| Coleus | Dec 7 | Feb 22 | Apr 23 |
| Marigolds | Dec 28 | Feb 22 | Apr 13 |
| Zinnias | Jan 11 | Feb 22 | Apr 28 |
| Morning glories | Jan 18 | Feb 22 | May 13 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 22 | May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Jan 4 | Mar 1 | May 15 |
| Peppers | Dec 21 | Mar 1 | May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Jan 25 | Mar 1 | Apr 25 |
| Pumpkins | Feb 1 | Mar 1 | Jun 19 |
| Basil | Jan 4 | Mar 1 | Apr 30 |
| Peonies | — | Oct 24 | Year 2–3 |
| Garlic | — | Nov 14 | Jul 12 (next yr) |
| Tulips | — | Dec 12 | Jun 10 (next yr) |
Dates use zone 2 (most of Louisiana); colder areas run later. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone.
What sets planting dates in Louisiana
Planting dates across Louisiana anchor to two dates. Most of the state sits in climate zone 2, where the average last spring frost lands around Feb 15 and the first fall frost around Dec 5 — a growing season of roughly 293 days. Every crop in the calendar counts forward or backward from those two frosts.
Hardy crops shrug off a light freeze, so they go in weeks before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it, once the soil warms. In Louisiana's zone 2, that's why peas can go out around Jan 11 while tomatoes wait until about Mar 1.
Louisiana isn't a single climate — it spans zones 2, 3, so higher-elevation and northern areas run later than these zone-2 dates. Use this as the state midpoint, then enter your ZIP for frost dates tuned to your exact area.
What sets your dates
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Last spring frost | Tender crops can't go out until it passes — around Feb 15 in Louisiana's zone 2 |
| First fall frost | Sets the harvest deadline — around Dec 5 — for anything still in the ground |
| Climate zone | Louisiana spans zones 2, 3; colder (higher-number) areas run later |
| Crop hardiness | Hardy crops plant before the last frost; tender crops wait until after it |
| Indoor head start | Warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) need 6–10 weeks started indoors first |
| Microclimate & elevation | Cold pockets, slopes, and higher ground run later than the state average |
How Louisiana's season compares
| Reference | Growing season |
|---|---|
| Louisiana (zone 2) | ~293 days · Feb 15 – Dec 5 |
| Short season (zone 8) | ~96 days · Jun 1 – Sep 5 |
Louisiana planting tips
- Don't rush tender crops out before Louisiana's last frost (around Feb 15) — a single late freeze can wipe out tomatoes and peppers.
- Start cool-season crops (peas, spinach, lettuce) early; they handle Louisiana's spring chill and bolt once summer heat arrives.
- Count backward from Feb 15 to time indoor seed-starting — 6–10 weeks for warm crops that need a head start.
- For a fall harvest, work back from the first frost (around Dec 5) using each crop's days-to-harvest so it matures in time.
Your exact area
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
Most of Louisiana (zone 2) averages its last spring frost around Feb 15 and first fall frost around Dec 5. Colder parts of the state run later in spring.
When should I plant tomatoes in Louisiana?
Set tomato transplants out around Mar 1 in most of Louisiana — a couple of weeks after the last frost. Start seeds indoors about Jan 4.
What is the growing season in Louisiana?
Roughly Dec 5 minus Feb 15 for zone 2. Cool-season crops extend it on both ends; enter your ZIP for your exact dates.