Frost Dates for Franklinton, LA 70438
Last spring frost March 16 · First fall frost November 17 · 246 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 70438 has about 19,300 people.
Very long season: 246 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 25–April 5 (39 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–December 4 (34 days).
Frost probability for 70438
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 5 | March 16 | February 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 17 | December 4 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COVINGTON 4 NNW (34.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 246-day season in Franklinton
In Franklinton (246 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 | Feb 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 30. | Jul 18 |
| Pepper | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 30. | Jul 23 |
| Lettuce | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Feb 23 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 26 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 288 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 288 available after Feb 23. | Sep 15 |
| Cucumber | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Beans | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Peas | — | Jan 19–Mar 30 | 309 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 309 available after Jan 19. | Sep 6 |
| Zucchini | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Onion | Dec 22 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 281 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 19–Mar 9 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 281 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 16. | Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 16. | Sep 15 |
| Radish | — | Jan 19–Apr 13 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 16 |
| Beets | — | Jan 19–Apr 13 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 267 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 17 | 351 | overwinter: Plant Nov 17 to Dec 8; harvest the following summer. | Dec 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 9–Apr 6 | 302 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 218 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 23. | Jul 30 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 30. | Jul 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 260 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 9. | Aug 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 2 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 19–Apr 13 | 323 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 19 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 295 available after Feb 16. | Aug 16 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 30. | Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 30. | Jul 28 |
| Okra | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Basil | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 16–Mar 9 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Parsley | Jan 5 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 246 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 23. | Sep 1 |
| Celery | Jan 5 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 246 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 23. | Jul 13 |
| Scallions | Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 25 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 8. | Oct 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 2–Feb 16 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 30 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 16 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 26 |
| Collards | Jan 5 | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Dec 8. | Sep 25 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 30. | Jul 13 |
| Chives | Dec 22 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 19–Apr 13 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 19 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Oregano | Jan 5 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 260 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 22 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Sage | Jan 19 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 260 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 5 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 260 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Cosmos | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
| Lavender | Dec 22 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 267 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Melons | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 30. | Jul 13 |
| Mint | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 267 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 225 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 23. | Aug 16 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 211 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 30. | Jul 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 16. | Aug 11 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 19 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 211 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 23. | Jul 23 |
| Watermelon | Mar 2 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 211 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 23. | Jul 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Zinnias | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 21 |
Month by month in Franklinton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 5), Collards (Jan 5), Kale (Jan 5), Oregano (Jan 5), Parsley (Jan 5), Scallions (Jan 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 19), Beets (Jan 19), Dill (Jan 19), Peas (Jan 19), Radish (Jan 19), Spinach (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Calendula (Feb 2), Cauliflower (Feb 2), Marigolds (Feb 2), Pepper (Feb 2), Basil (Feb 9), Tomato (Feb 9), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 2), Cilantro (Feb 16), Turnip (Feb 16), Carrots (Feb 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 16), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 16), Cabbage (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), Kale (Feb 16), Lettuce (Feb 16), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 9). |
| March | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 2), Cantaloupe (Mar 2), Melons (Mar 2), Pumpkin (Mar 2), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 2), Watermelon (Mar 2), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 2), Sunflowers (Mar 16), Beans (Mar 23), Pole Beans (Mar 23). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), Bok Choy (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Cosmos (Mar 16), Lavender (Mar 16), +26 more. Last frost around March 16. |
| April | Transplant from: Basil (Apr 6). |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 5), Pumpkin (Jul 5), Cantaloupe (Jul 13), Celery (Jul 13), Melons (Jul 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 15), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 11), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 16), Pole Beans (Aug 16), Basil (Aug 21), Cosmos (Aug 21), Cucumber (Aug 21), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Parsley (Sep 1), Peas (Sep 6), Cabbage (Sep 15), Carrots (Sep 15), Beets (Sep 16), Dill (Sep 16), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Oct 5), Arugula (Oct 15), Spinach (Oct 15), Radish (Oct 16). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 17). First frost around November 17. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 22), Lavender (Dec 22), Onion (Dec 22), Rosemary (Dec 22). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 8). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Franklinton, LA (ZIP 70438)?
The median last spring frost date for Franklinton, LA (ZIP code 70438) is around March 16. 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 February 25; one in ten it runs past April 5.
What is the first fall frost date in Franklinton, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Franklinton, LA is around November 17. 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 October 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Franklinton, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Franklinton is about 246 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 Franklinton (246 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 Franklinton, LA?
Franklinton, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (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 Franklinton, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 9 and plant out Mar 30 in Franklinton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Franklinton?
Two: plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 24.
When do I plant garlic in Franklinton?
Nov 17 to Dec 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Franklinton?
Yes: plant out Mar 30 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 18 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bogalusa (ZIP 70427) has 256 frost-free days, 10 more than Franklinton (ZIP 70438). See Bogalusa ZIP 70427 frost dates
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