Alexandria 5 SSE, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Alexandria 5 SSE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
264 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 4 Mar 3 Mar 24
First fall frost Dec 11 Nov 22 Nov 3
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 16 · first Dec 7

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ALEXANDRIA 5 SSE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Alexandria 5 SSE

Computed from Alexandria 5 SSE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 6 – Jan 20 Mar 10 – Mar 17
🫑 Peppers Dec 23 – Jan 6 Mar 17 – Mar 24
🥬 Lettuce Jan 20 – Feb 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17 Feb 3 – Mar 3
🫛 Peas Jan 20 – Feb 3
🥕 Carrots Feb 10 – Mar 3
🥦 Broccoli Jan 13 – Jan 27 Feb 10 – Feb 24
🥬 Kale Jan 20 – Feb 3 Feb 3 – Feb 17 Feb 3 – Feb 17
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 3 – Feb 10 Mar 10 – Mar 17 Mar 10 – Mar 17
🥒 Zucchini Feb 3 – Feb 10 Mar 10 – Mar 17 Mar 10 – Mar 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 10 – Mar 17
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 10 – Mar 17
🌿 Basil Jan 20 – Feb 3 Mar 10 – Mar 17 Mar 17 – Mar 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 11 – Nov 8

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Alexandria 5 SSE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Alexandria 5 SSE

With roughly 264 frost-free days, Alexandria 5 SSE gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 22 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Alexandria 5 SSE, LA?

The average last spring frost in Alexandria 5 SSE is around Mar 3, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Alexandria 5 SSE, LA?

The average first fall frost in Alexandria 5 SSE arrives around Nov 22. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Alexandria 5 SSE?

About 264 frost-free days on average, from Mar 3 to Nov 22. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Alexandria 5 SSE in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.