Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 28
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
328 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 2 Feb 3 Mar 2
First fall frost Jan 31 Dec 28 Dec 5
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 23 · first Jan 7

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the LSU CITRUS RSCH STN 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 Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn

Computed from Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn'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 9 – Dec 23 Feb 10 – Feb 17
🫑 Peppers Nov 25 – Dec 9 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🥬 Lettuce Dec 23 – Jan 6 Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 6 – Feb 3
🫛 Peas Dec 23 – Jan 6
🥕 Carrots Jan 13 – Feb 3
🥦 Broccoli Dec 16 – Dec 30 Jan 13 – Jan 27
🥬 Kale Dec 23 – Jan 6 Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 6 – Jan 20
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 6 – Jan 13 Feb 10 – Feb 17 Feb 10 – Feb 17
🥒 Zucchini Jan 6 – Jan 13 Feb 10 – Feb 17 Feb 10 – Feb 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 10 – Feb 17
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 10 – Feb 17
🌿 Basil Dec 23 – Jan 6 Feb 10 – Feb 17 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 16 – Dec 14

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 Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn

With roughly 328 frost-free days, Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn 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 28 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn, LA?

The average last spring frost in Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn is around Feb 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 Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn, LA?

The average first fall frost in Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn arrives around Dec 28. 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 Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn?

About 328 frost-free days on average, from Feb 3 to Dec 28. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Lsu Citrus Rsch Stn 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.