Frost Dates for Marksville, LA 71351
Last spring frost February 27 · First fall frost November 24 · 270 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 71351 has about 11,500 people.
Very long season: 270 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 4–March 23 (47 days). Fall frost risk spans November 2–December 15 (43 days).
Frost probability for 71351
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 23 | February 27 | February 4 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 2 | November 24 | December 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ALEXANDRIA (50.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 270-day season in Marksville
In Marksville (270 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 23 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 13. | Jul 25 |
| Pepper | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 13. | Jul 30 |
| Lettuce | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 1. | Oct 3 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 312 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 312 available after Feb 6. | Sep 22 |
| Cucumber | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Beans | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Peas | — | Jan 2–Mar 13 | 333 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 333 available after Jan 2. | Sep 13 |
| Zucchini | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Onion | Dec 5 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 305 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 305 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 2–Feb 20 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 22 |
| Kale | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Broccoli | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 305 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 305 available after Jan 30. | Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 30. | Sep 22 |
| Radish | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Oct 23 |
| Beets | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 24 | 375 | overwinter: Plant Nov 24 to Dec 15; harvest the following summer. | Dec 15 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 23–Mar 20 | 326 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 6. | Aug 6 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 13. | Jul 12 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Feb 20. | Sep 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 13 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 23 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 347 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 22; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 22 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 30. | Aug 23 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 13. | Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 13. | Aug 4 |
| Okra | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Basil | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 30–Feb 20 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 28 |
| Parsley | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 6. | Sep 8 |
| Celery | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 270 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 6. | Jul 20 |
| Scallions | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 2 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 12; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 12 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 7 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 1. | Oct 3 |
| Collards | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Dec 15. | Oct 2 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 228 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 13. | Jul 20 |
| Chives | Dec 5 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 23 |
| Oregano | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 284 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 5 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 270 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Sage | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 284 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 284 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 284 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 28; both mature before Dec 1. | Sep 28 |
| Cosmos | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Lavender | Dec 5 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Melons | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 228 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 13. | Jul 20 |
| Mint | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 291 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 6. | Aug 23 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 13. | Jul 22 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 18 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 6. | Jul 30 |
| Watermelon | Feb 13 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 6. | Jul 25 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Zinnias | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
Month by month in Marksville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 2), Cabbage (Jan 2), Lettuce (Jan 2), Sage (Jan 2), Swiss Chard (Jan 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 2), Beets (Jan 2), Dill (Jan 2), Peas (Jan 2), Radish (Jan 2), Spinach (Jan 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 30), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 30), Cabbage (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), Kale (Jan 30), Lettuce (Jan 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 6), Butternut Squash (Feb 13), Cantaloupe (Feb 13), Melons (Feb 13), Pumpkin (Feb 13), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 6), Potatoes (Feb 13), Sunflowers (Feb 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), Bok Choy (Feb 20), Cauliflower (Feb 20), Cosmos (Feb 27), Lavender (Feb 27), +4 more. Last frost around February 27. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 6), Pole Beans (Mar 6). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 6), Chives (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), +17 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 12), Pumpkin (Jul 12), Cantaloupe (Jul 20), Celery (Jul 20), Melons (Jul 20), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 22), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Aug 4), Corn (Aug 6), Sunflowers (Aug 18), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 23), Pole Beans (Aug 23), Basil (Aug 28), +4 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Sep 2), Okra (Sep 2), Yellow Squash (Sep 2), Zucchini (Sep 2), Cauliflower (Sep 3), Beans (Sep 4), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Collards (Oct 2), Scallions (Oct 2), Bok Choy (Oct 3), Lettuce (Oct 3), Kale (Oct 7), Kohlrabi (Oct 7), +4 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 24). First frost around November 24. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 5), Lavender (Dec 5), Onion (Dec 5), Rosemary (Dec 5), Celery (Dec 19), Collards (Dec 19), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 15). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Marksville, LA (ZIP 71351)?
The median last spring frost date for Marksville, LA (ZIP code 71351) is around February 27. 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 4; one in ten it runs past March 23.
What is the first fall frost date in Marksville, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Marksville, LA is around November 24. 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 2 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Marksville, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Marksville is about 270 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 Marksville (270 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 Marksville, LA?
Marksville, 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 Marksville, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 23 and plant out Mar 13 in Marksville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Marksville?
Two: plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Dec 1.
When do I plant garlic in Marksville?
Nov 24 to Dec 15; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Marksville?
Yes: plant out Mar 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 25 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Opelousas (ZIP 70570) has 278 frost-free days, 8 more than Marksville (ZIP 71351). See Opelousas ZIP 70570 frost dates
Nearby and related
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