Natchitoches #2, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 5
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
257 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 14 Mar 5 Mar 23
First fall frost Dec 6 Nov 17 Nov 3
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 20 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the NATCHITOCHES #2 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 Natchitoches #2

Computed from Natchitoches #2'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 8 – Jan 22 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🫑 Peppers Dec 25 – Jan 8 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🥬 Lettuce Jan 22 – Feb 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19 Feb 5 – Mar 5
🫛 Peas Jan 22 – Feb 5
🥕 Carrots Feb 12 – Mar 5
🥦 Broccoli Jan 15 – Jan 29 Feb 12 – Feb 26
🥬 Kale Jan 22 – Feb 5 Feb 5 – Feb 19 Feb 5 – Feb 19
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 5 – Feb 12 Mar 12 – Mar 19 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🥒 Zucchini Feb 5 – Feb 12 Mar 12 – Mar 19 Mar 12 – Mar 19
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 12 – Mar 19
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 12 – Mar 19
🌿 Basil Jan 22 – Feb 5 Mar 12 – Mar 19 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🧄 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 Natchitoches #2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Natchitoches #2

With roughly 257 frost-free days, Natchitoches #2 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 Natchitoches #2, LA?

The average last spring frost in Natchitoches #2 is around Mar 5, 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 Natchitoches #2, LA?

The average first fall frost in Natchitoches #2 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 Natchitoches #2?

About 257 frost-free days on average, from Mar 5 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 Natchitoches #2 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.