Franklin 3 NW, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Franklin 3 NW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 11
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 8
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
300 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 11 Mar 11
First fall frost Jan 9 Dec 8 Nov 15
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 27 · first Dec 31

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the FRANKLIN 3 NW 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 Franklin 3 NW

Computed from Franklin 3 NW'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 17 – Dec 31 Feb 18 – Feb 25
🫑 Peppers Dec 3 – Dec 17 Feb 25 – Mar 4
🥬 Lettuce Dec 31 – Jan 14 Jan 14 – Jan 28 Jan 14 – Feb 11
🫛 Peas Dec 31 – Jan 14
🥕 Carrots Jan 21 – Feb 11
🥦 Broccoli Dec 24 – Jan 7 Jan 21 – Feb 4
🥬 Kale Dec 31 – Jan 14 Jan 14 – Jan 28 Jan 14 – Jan 28
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 14 – Jan 21 Feb 18 – Feb 25 Feb 18 – Feb 25
🥒 Zucchini Jan 14 – Jan 21 Feb 18 – Feb 25 Feb 18 – Feb 25
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 18 – Feb 25
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 18 – Feb 25
🌿 Basil Dec 31 – Jan 14 Feb 18 – Feb 25 Feb 25 – Mar 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 27 – Nov 24

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 Franklin 3 NW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Franklin 3 NW

With roughly 300 frost-free days, Franklin 3 NW 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 8 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Franklin 3 NW, LA?

The average last spring frost in Franklin 3 NW is around Feb 11, 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 Franklin 3 NW, LA?

The average first fall frost in Franklin 3 NW arrives around Dec 8. 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 Franklin 3 NW?

About 300 frost-free days on average, from Feb 11 to Dec 8. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Franklin 3 NW 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.