Frost Dates for Franklin, LA 70538
Last spring frost February 8 · First fall frost December 6 · 301 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 70538 has about 12,500 people.
Very long season: 301 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 5–March 14 (68 days). Fall frost risk spans November 15–December 27 (42 days).
Frost probability for 70538
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 14 | February 8 | January 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 15 | December 6 | December 27 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JEANERETTE 5 NW (29.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 301-day season in Franklin
In Franklin (301 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 259 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 22. | Aug 6 |
| Pepper | Dec 28 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 259 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 22. | Aug 11 |
| Lettuce | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 18 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 15 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 18–Jan 25 | 343 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 343 available after Jan 18. | Oct 4 |
| Cucumber | Jan 18 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Beans | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Peas | — | Dec 14–Feb 22 | 364 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 364 available after Dec 14. | Sep 25 |
| Zucchini | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Onion | Nov 16 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 336 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 14–Feb 1 | 378 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Dec 27. | Nov 3 |
| Kale | Nov 30 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 19 |
| Broccoli | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 336 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 11. | Sep 10 |
| Cabbage | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 350 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 350 available after Jan 11. | Oct 4 |
| Radish | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Nov 4; both mature before Dec 13. | Nov 4 |
| Beets | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 25–Feb 1 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Jan 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 6 | 406 | overwinter: Plant Dec 6 to Dec 27; harvest the following summer. | Dec 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 4–Mar 1 | 357 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 273 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 15. | Aug 18 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Feb 22 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 22. | Jul 24 |
| Cauliflower | Dec 28 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 315 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 315 available after Feb 1. | Sep 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 14 | Jan 25–Jan 25 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 378 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Nov 3; both mature before Dec 27. | Nov 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 14 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 350 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 350 available after Jan 11. | Sep 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 22. | Jul 24 |
| Eggplant | Dec 21 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 259 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 22. | Aug 16 |
| Okra | Jan 11 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Basil | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 1 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 11–Feb 1 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Parsley | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 301 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 15. | Sep 20 |
| Celery | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 301 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 15. | Aug 1 |
| Scallions | Nov 30 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 14 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 24; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Dec 28–Jan 11 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 28 and again by Oct 19; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 19 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 11 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | 315 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 15 |
| Collards | Nov 30 | Jan 11–Jan 25 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 14; both mature before Dec 27. | Oct 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 259 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 22. | Aug 1 |
| Chives | Nov 16 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 315 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 315 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 14–Mar 8 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 14 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 5 |
| Oregano | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 315 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 315 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 16 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 301 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Sage | Dec 14 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 315 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 315 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Thyme | Nov 30 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 315 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 315 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Calendula | Dec 28 | Jan 25–Feb 8 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 25 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 13. | Oct 10 |
| Cosmos | Jan 11 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Lavender | Nov 16 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Dec 28 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Melons | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 259 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 22. | Aug 1 |
| Mint | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 322 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 322 available after Feb 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 11 | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 280 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 15. | Sep 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 266 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 22. | Aug 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 287 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 8. | Aug 30 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 14 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 266 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 15. | Aug 11 |
| Watermelon | Jan 25 | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 15. | Aug 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 25 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Zinnias | Jan 11 | Feb 8–Feb 22 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 8 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
Month by month in Franklin
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Basil (Jan 4), Tomato (Jan 4), Bok Choy (Jan 11), Corn (Jan 11), Cosmos (Jan 11), Nasturtiums (Jan 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Jan 11), Turnip (Jan 11), Carrots (Jan 18), Potatoes (Jan 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 11), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 11), Cabbage (Jan 11), Collards (Jan 11), Kale (Jan 11), Lettuce (Jan 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 4). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 8), Beans (Feb 15), Pole Beans (Feb 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 1), Cauliflower (Feb 1), Cosmos (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Marigolds (Feb 8), Mint (Feb 8), +24 more. Last frost around February 8. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 1). |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 24), Pumpkin (Jul 24). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 1), Celery (Aug 1), Melons (Aug 1), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 3), Tomato (Aug 6), Watermelon (Aug 6), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 4), Pole Beans (Sep 4), Basil (Sep 9), Cosmos (Sep 9), Cucumber (Sep 9), Zinnias (Sep 9), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 4), Carrots (Oct 4), Beets (Oct 5), Dill (Oct 5), Swiss Chard (Oct 5), Calendula (Oct 10), +8 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 16), Lavender (Nov 16), Onion (Nov 16), Rosemary (Nov 16), Celery (Nov 30), Collards (Nov 30), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 3), Spinach (Nov 3), Radish (Nov 4). |
| December | Start indoors: Broccoli (Dec 14), Brussel Sprouts (Dec 14), Cabbage (Dec 14), Lettuce (Dec 14), Sage (Dec 14), Swiss Chard (Dec 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 6), Arugula (Dec 14), Beets (Dec 14), Dill (Dec 14), Peas (Dec 14), Radish (Dec 14), +2 more. First frost around December 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 27). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Franklin, LA (ZIP 70538)?
The median last spring frost date for Franklin, LA (ZIP code 70538) is around February 8. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before January 5; one in ten it runs past March 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Franklin, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Franklin, LA is around December 6. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Franklin is about 301 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Franklin (301 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Franklin, LA?
Franklin, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Franklin, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 4 and plant out Feb 22 in Franklin. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Franklin?
Two: plant Jan 11 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 13.
When do I plant garlic in Franklin?
Dec 6 to Dec 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Franklin?
Yes: plant out Feb 22 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 6 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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