Carville 2 SW, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Carville 2 SW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 9
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 13
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
307 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 12 Feb 9 Mar 10
First fall frost Jan 11 Dec 13 Nov 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 27 · first Jan 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CARVILLE 2 SW 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 Carville 2 SW

Computed from Carville 2 SW'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 Dec 15 – Dec 29 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🫑 Peppers Dec 1 – Dec 15 Feb 23 – Mar 2
🥬 Lettuce Dec 29 – Jan 12 Jan 12 – Jan 26 Jan 12 – Feb 9
🫛 Peas Dec 29 – Jan 12
🥕 Carrots Jan 19 – Feb 9
🥦 Broccoli Dec 22 – Jan 5 Jan 19 – Feb 2
🥬 Kale Dec 29 – Jan 12 Jan 12 – Jan 26 Jan 12 – Jan 26
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 12 – Jan 19 Feb 16 – Feb 23 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🥒 Zucchini Jan 12 – Jan 19 Feb 16 – Feb 23 Feb 16 – Feb 23
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 16 – Feb 23
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 16 – Feb 23
🌿 Basil Dec 29 – Jan 12 Feb 16 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 1 – Nov 29

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 Carville 2 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Carville 2 SW

With roughly 307 frost-free days, Carville 2 SW 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 Dec 13 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Carville 2 SW, LA?

The average last spring frost in Carville 2 SW is around Feb 9, 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 Carville 2 SW, LA?

The average first fall frost in Carville 2 SW arrives around Dec 13. 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 Carville 2 SW?

About 307 frost-free days on average, from Feb 9 to Dec 13. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Carville 2 SW in?

USDA zone 9b 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.