New Orleans, LA planting zone & frost dates
New Orleans is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around February 1 and the first fall frost around December 31, for a growing season of about 330 days.
Planting calendar for New Orleans
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 1) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 7 – Dec 21 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Feb 15 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 23 – Dec 7 Transplant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 21 – Jan 4 Transplant outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 15 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Nov 5 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 31).
Useful for zone 9b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Mar 6 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 29 | Dec 31 | Dec 1 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 1. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 23.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in New Orleans
- 70112 zone 9b
- 70113 zone 9b
- 70114 zone 9b
- 70115 zone 9b
- 70116 zone 9b
- 70117 zone 9b
- 70118 zone 9b
- 70119 zone 9b
- 70121 zone 9b
- 70122 zone 9b
- 70123 zone 9b
- 70124 zone 9b
- 70125 zone 9b
- 70126 zone 9b
- 70127 zone 9b
- 70128 zone 9b
- 70129 zone 9b
- 70130 zone 9b
- 70131 zone 9b
- 70139 zone 9b
- 70141 zone 9b
- 70142 zone 9b
- 70143 zone 9b
- 70145 zone 9b
- 70146 zone 9b
- 70148 zone 9b
- 70150 zone 9b
- 70151 zone 9b
- 70152 zone 9b
- 70153 zone 9b
- 70154 zone 9b
- 70156 zone 9b
- 70157 zone 9b
- 70158 zone 9b
- 70159 zone 9b
- 70160 zone 9b
- 70161 zone 9b
- 70162 zone 9b
- 70163 zone 9b
- 70164 zone 9b
- 70165 zone 9b
- 70166 zone 9b
- 70167 zone 9b
- 70170 zone 9b
- 70172 zone 9b
- 70174 zone 9b
- 70175 zone 9b
- 70176 zone 9b
- 70177 zone 9b
- 70178 zone 9b
- 70179 zone 9b
- 70181 zone 9b
- 70182 zone 9b
- 70183 zone 9b
- 70184 zone 9b
- 70185 zone 9b
- 70186 zone 9b
- 70187 zone 9b
- 70189 zone 9b
- 70190 zone 9b
- 70195 zone 9b
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in New Orleans?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in New Orleans is February 1. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 6.
When can I plant tomatoes in New Orleans?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 8 – Feb 15. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Terrytown 3S, LA (USC00168941), 6.3 km (3.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 3 m, based on 18 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.