Frost Dates for Minden, LA 71055
Last spring frost March 24 · First fall frost November 11 · 232 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 71055 has about 17,800 people.
Long season: 232 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 6–April 12 (37 days). Fall frost risk spans October 25–November 28 (34 days).
Frost probability for 71055
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 24 | March 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 25 | November 11 | November 28 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HOMER 1N (26.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 232-day season in Minden
In Minden (232 frost-free days, a 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 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 12 |
| Pepper | Feb 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 17 |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 3 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 20 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Mar 3. | Sep 9 |
| Cucumber | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Beans | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Peas | — | Jan 27–Apr 7 | 295 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 295 available after Jan 27. | Aug 31 |
| Zucchini | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Onion | Dec 30 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 24. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 27–Mar 17 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 2. | Oct 9 |
| Kale | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 267 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 24. | Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 281 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 24. | Sep 9 |
| Radish | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Oct 10 |
| Beets | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 11 | 337 | overwinter: Plant Nov 11 to Dec 2; harvest the following summer. | Dec 2 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 17–Apr 14 | 288 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 17; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 204 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 31. | Jul 24 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 7 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 7. | Jun 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 17. | Aug 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 10 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 309 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Oct 9; both mature before Dec 2. | Oct 9 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 27 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 281 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 24. | Aug 10 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 7. | Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 22 |
| Okra | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Basil | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 24–Mar 17 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Parsley | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 232 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 31. | Aug 26 |
| Celery | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 232 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 31. | Jul 7 |
| Scallions | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 19 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 29 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 10–Feb 24 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 24 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 24 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 20 |
| Collards | Jan 13 | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Dec 2. | Sep 19 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 7 |
| Chives | Dec 30 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 27–Apr 21 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 10 |
| Oregano | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 246 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 30 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Sage | Jan 27 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 246 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 13 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 18. | Sep 15 |
| Cosmos | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Lavender | Dec 30 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Melons | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 190 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 7. | Jul 7 |
| Mint | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 253 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 211 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 31. | Aug 10 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 197 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 7. | Jul 9 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 24. | Aug 5 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 27 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 31. | Jul 17 |
| Watermelon | Mar 10 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 31. | Jul 12 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Zinnias | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
Month by month in Minden
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 13), Collards (Jan 13), Kale (Jan 13), Oregano (Jan 13), Parsley (Jan 13), Scallions (Jan 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 27), Beets (Jan 27), Dill (Jan 27), Peas (Jan 27), Radish (Jan 27), Spinach (Jan 27). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 3), Calendula (Feb 10), Cauliflower (Feb 10), Marigolds (Feb 10), Pepper (Feb 10), Basil (Feb 17), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 10), Cilantro (Feb 24), Turnip (Feb 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 24), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 24), Cabbage (Feb 24), Collards (Feb 24), Kale (Feb 24), Lettuce (Feb 24), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 3), Butternut Squash (Mar 10), Cantaloupe (Mar 10), Melons (Mar 10), Pumpkin (Mar 10), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 3), Potatoes (Mar 10), Sunflowers (Mar 24), Beans (Mar 31), Pole Beans (Mar 31). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 10), Swiss Chard (Mar 10), Bok Choy (Mar 17), Cauliflower (Mar 17), Cosmos (Mar 24), Lavender (Mar 24), +15 more. Last frost around March 24. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 7), Cantaloupe (Apr 7), Cucumber (Apr 7), Eggplant (Apr 7), Melons (Apr 7), Pepper (Apr 7), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 29), Pumpkin (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 7), Celery (Jul 7), Melons (Jul 7), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 9), Tomato (Jul 12), Watermelon (Jul 12), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 5), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 10), Pole Beans (Aug 10), Basil (Aug 15), Cosmos (Aug 15), Cucumber (Aug 15), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 9), Carrots (Sep 9), Beets (Sep 10), Dill (Sep 10), Swiss Chard (Sep 10), Calendula (Sep 15), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 9), Spinach (Oct 9), Radish (Oct 10). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 11). First frost around November 11. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 30), Lavender (Dec 30), Onion (Dec 30), Rosemary (Dec 30). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 2). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Minden, LA (ZIP 71055)?
The median last spring frost date for Minden, LA (ZIP code 71055) is around March 24. 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 March 6; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Minden, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Minden, LA is around November 11. 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 25 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Minden, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Minden is about 232 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 Minden (232 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Minden, LA?
Minden, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Minden, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 17 and plant out Apr 7 in Minden. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Minden?
Two: plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 18.
When do I plant garlic in Minden?
Nov 11 to Dec 2; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Minden?
Yes: plant out Apr 7 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 12 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bossier City (ZIP 71111) has 244 frost-free days, 12 more than Minden (ZIP 71055). See Bossier City ZIP 71111 frost dates
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