Clinton 5 SE, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 13
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
249 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 18 Mar 13 Apr 4
First fall frost Dec 6 Nov 17 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 27 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CLINTON 5 SE 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 Clinton 5 SE

Computed from Clinton 5 SE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 16 – Jan 30 Mar 20 – Mar 27
🫑 Peppers Jan 2 – Jan 16 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🥬 Lettuce Jan 30 – Feb 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Feb 13 – Mar 13
🫛 Peas Jan 30 – Feb 13
🥕 Carrots Feb 20 – Mar 13
🥦 Broccoli Jan 23 – Feb 6 Feb 20 – Mar 6
🥬 Kale Jan 30 – Feb 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Feb 13 – Feb 27
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 13 – Feb 20 Mar 20 – Mar 27 Mar 20 – Mar 27
🥒 Zucchini Feb 13 – Feb 20 Mar 20 – Mar 27 Mar 20 – Mar 27
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 20 – Mar 27
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 20 – Mar 27
🌿 Basil Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 20 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 6 – Nov 3

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 Clinton 5 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Clinton 5 SE

With roughly 249 frost-free days, Clinton 5 SE 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 17 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Clinton 5 SE, LA?

The average last spring frost in Clinton 5 SE is around Mar 13, 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 Clinton 5 SE, LA?

The average first fall frost in Clinton 5 SE arrives around Nov 17. 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 Clinton 5 SE?

About 249 frost-free days on average, from Mar 13 to Nov 17. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Clinton 5 SE in?

USDA zone 8b 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.