Frost Dates for Gonzales, LA 70737
Last spring frost February 20 · First fall frost December 2 · 285 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 70737 has about 49,100 people.
Very long season: 285 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 26–March 18 (51 days). Fall frost risk spans November 11–December 23 (42 days).
Frost probability for 70737
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 18 | February 20 | January 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 11 | December 2 | December 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at DONALDSONVILLE 4 SW (19.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 285-day season in Gonzales
In Gonzales (285 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 16 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 243 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 6. | Aug 2 |
| Pepper | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 6. | Aug 7 |
| Lettuce | Dec 26 | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 327 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 327 available after Jan 30. | Sep 30 |
| Cucumber | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Beans | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Peas | — | Dec 26–Mar 6 | 348 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 348 available after Dec 26. | Sep 21 |
| Zucchini | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Onion | Nov 28 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 320 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 26–Feb 13 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 26 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Kale | Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Broccoli | Dec 26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 320 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 320 available after Jan 23. | Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Dec 26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 334 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 23. | Sep 30 |
| Radish | — | Dec 26–Mar 20 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 26 and again by Oct 31; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 31 |
| Beets | — | Dec 26–Mar 20 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 26 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 306 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 2 | 390 | overwinter: Plant Dec 2 to Dec 23; harvest the following summer. | Dec 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 16–Mar 13 | 341 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 23 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 257 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 257 available after Feb 27. | Aug 14 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 6. | Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 9 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 299 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 13. | Sep 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 26 | Feb 6–Feb 6 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 26–Mar 20 | 362 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 26 and again by Oct 30; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 26 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 334 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 23. | Aug 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 6. | Jul 20 |
| Eggplant | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 6. | Aug 12 |
| Okra | Jan 23 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Basil | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 23–Feb 13 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Parsley | Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 285 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 27. | Sep 16 |
| Celery | Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 285 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 27. | Jul 28 |
| Scallions | Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 9–Jan 23 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 9 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 15 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 23 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 11 |
| Collards | Dec 12 | Jan 23–Feb 6 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 23. | Oct 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 243 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 6. | Jul 28 |
| Chives | Nov 28 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 26–Mar 20 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 26 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Oregano | Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 299 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 28 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 285 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Sage | Dec 26 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 299 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 12 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 299 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 299 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 9 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Cosmos | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
| Lavender | Nov 28 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 306 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 9 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Melons | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 243 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 6. | Jul 28 |
| Mint | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 306 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 264 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 27. | Aug 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 250 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 6. | Jul 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Feb 20. | Aug 26 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 26 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 250 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 250 available after Feb 27. | Aug 7 |
| Watermelon | Feb 6 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 250 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 250 available after Feb 27. | Aug 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Zinnias | Jan 23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 5 |
Month by month in Gonzales
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Eggplant (Jan 2), Calendula (Jan 9), Cauliflower (Jan 9), Marigolds (Jan 9), Pepper (Jan 9), Basil (Jan 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 9), Cilantro (Jan 23), Turnip (Jan 23), Carrots (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 23), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 23), Cabbage (Jan 23), Collards (Jan 23), Kale (Jan 23), Lettuce (Jan 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 16). |
| February | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Feb 6), Cantaloupe (Feb 6), Melons (Feb 6), Pumpkin (Feb 6), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 6), Watermelon (Feb 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Feb 6), Sunflowers (Feb 20), Beans (Feb 27), Pole Beans (Feb 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 6), Swiss Chard (Feb 6), Bok Choy (Feb 13), Cauliflower (Feb 13), Cosmos (Feb 20), Lavender (Feb 20), +15 more. Last frost around February 20. |
| March | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Mar 6), Cantaloupe (Mar 6), Cucumber (Mar 6), Eggplant (Mar 6), Melons (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), +6 more. |
| 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 20), Pumpkin (Jul 20), Cantaloupe (Jul 28), Celery (Jul 28), Melons (Jul 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 30). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Aug 2), Watermelon (Aug 2), Pepper (Aug 7), Tomatillos (Aug 7), Eggplant (Aug 12), Corn (Aug 14), +3 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Basil (Sep 5), Cosmos (Sep 5), Cucumber (Sep 5), Zinnias (Sep 5), Broccoli (Sep 6), Nasturtiums (Sep 10), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Beets (Oct 1), Dill (Oct 1), Swiss Chard (Oct 1), Calendula (Oct 6), Cilantro (Oct 6), Collards (Oct 10), +9 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 28), Lavender (Nov 28), Onion (Nov 28), Rosemary (Nov 28). |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 12), Collards (Dec 12), Kale (Dec 12), Oregano (Dec 12), Parsley (Dec 12), Scallions (Dec 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 2), Arugula (Dec 26), Beets (Dec 26), Dill (Dec 26), Peas (Dec 26), Radish (Dec 26), +1 more. First frost around December 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 23). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Gonzales, LA (ZIP 70737)?
The median last spring frost date for Gonzales, LA (ZIP code 70737) is around February 20. 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 26; one in ten it runs past March 18.
What is the first fall frost date in Gonzales, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Gonzales, LA is around December 2. 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 11 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gonzales, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Gonzales is about 285 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 Gonzales (285 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 Gonzales, LA?
Gonzales, 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 Gonzales, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 16 and plant out Mar 6 in Gonzales. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gonzales?
Two: plant Jan 23 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 9.
When do I plant garlic in Gonzales?
Dec 2 to Dec 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gonzales?
Yes: plant out Mar 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 2 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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