Minden, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 14
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
242 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 26 Mar 17 Apr 6
First fall frost Dec 3 Nov 14 Oct 28
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 1 · first Nov 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MINDEN 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 Minden

Computed from Minden'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 20 – Feb 3 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🫑 Peppers Jan 6 – Jan 20 Mar 31 – Apr 7
🥬 Lettuce Feb 3 – Feb 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3 Feb 17 – Mar 17
🫛 Peas Feb 3 – Feb 17
🥕 Carrots Feb 24 – Mar 17
🥦 Broccoli Jan 27 – Feb 10 Feb 24 – Mar 10
🥬 Kale Feb 3 – Feb 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3 Feb 17 – Mar 3
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 17 – Feb 24 Mar 24 – Mar 31 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🥒 Zucchini Feb 17 – Feb 24 Mar 24 – Mar 31 Mar 24 – Mar 31
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 24 – Mar 31
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 24 – Mar 31
🌿 Basil Feb 3 – Feb 17 Mar 24 – Mar 31 Mar 31 – Apr 7
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 3 – Oct 31

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 Minden's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Minden

With roughly 242 frost-free days, Minden 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 14 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Minden, LA?

The average last spring frost in Minden is around Mar 17, 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 Minden, LA?

The average first fall frost in Minden arrives around Nov 14. 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 Minden?

About 242 frost-free days on average, from Mar 17 to Nov 14. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Minden 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.