Frost Dates for Natchitoches, LA 71457
Last spring frost March 25 · First fall frost November 8 · 228 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 71457 has about 24,400 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Natchitoches.
Long season: 228 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 7–April 12 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans October 21–November 26 (36 days).
Frost probability for 71457
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 25 | March 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 21 | November 8 | November 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MANY (41.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Natchitoches, LA
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71457 | March 25 | November 8 | 9a |
| 71497 | March 25 | November 8 | 9a |
Which crops fit a 228-day season in Natchitoches
In Natchitoches (228 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 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 8. | Jul 9 |
| Pepper | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 8. | Jul 14 |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 4 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 4. | Sep 6 |
| Cucumber | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Beans | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Peas | — | Jan 28–Apr 8 | 291 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 291 available after Jan 28. | Aug 28 |
| Zucchini | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Onion | Dec 31 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 263 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 25. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 28–Mar 18 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Kale | Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 263 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 25. | Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 25. | Sep 6 |
| Radish | — | Jan 28–Apr 22 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | Jan 28–Apr 22 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 249 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 8 | 333 | overwinter: Plant Nov 8 to Nov 29; harvest the following summer. | Nov 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 18–Apr 15 | 284 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 18; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 25 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 1. | Jul 21 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 8 | 193 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 8. | Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 11 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 18. | Aug 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 11 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 28–Apr 22 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 28 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 25. | Aug 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 193 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 8. | Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 8. | Jul 19 |
| Okra | Feb 25 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Basil | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 25–Mar 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Parsley | Jan 14 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 1. | Aug 23 |
| Celery | Jan 14 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 228 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 1. | Jul 4 |
| Scallions | Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 11–Feb 25 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 25 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Collards | Jan 14 | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 186 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 8. | Jul 4 |
| Chives | Dec 31 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 28–Apr 22 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 28 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Oregano | Jan 14 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 242 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 242 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 31 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Sage | Jan 28 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 242 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 242 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 14 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Cosmos | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Lavender | Dec 31 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 249 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Melons | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 186 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 8. | Jul 4 |
| Mint | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 249 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 1. | Aug 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 193 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 8. | Jul 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 25. | Aug 2 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 28 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 1. | Jul 14 |
| Watermelon | Mar 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 1. | Jul 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Zinnias | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
Month by month in Natchitoches
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 14), Collards (Jan 14), Kale (Jan 14), Oregano (Jan 14), Parsley (Jan 14), Scallions (Jan 14), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 28), Beets (Jan 28), Dill (Jan 28), Peas (Jan 28), Radish (Jan 28), Spinach (Jan 28). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 4), Calendula (Feb 11), Cauliflower (Feb 11), Marigolds (Feb 11), Pepper (Feb 11), Basil (Feb 18), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 11), Cilantro (Feb 25), Turnip (Feb 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 25), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 25), Cabbage (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), Kale (Feb 25), Lettuce (Feb 25), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 4), Butternut Squash (Mar 11), Cantaloupe (Mar 11), Melons (Mar 11), Pumpkin (Mar 11), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 11), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 4), Potatoes (Mar 11), Sunflowers (Mar 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), Bok Choy (Mar 18), Cauliflower (Mar 18), Cosmos (Mar 25), Lavender (Mar 25), +4 more. Last frost around March 25. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 1), Pole Beans (Apr 1). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 1), Chives (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Oregano (Apr 1), Parsley (Apr 1), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 26), Pumpkin (Jun 26). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 4), Celery (Jul 4), Melons (Jul 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 6), Tomato (Jul 9), Watermelon (Jul 9), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 2), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 7), Pole Beans (Aug 7), Basil (Aug 12), Cosmos (Aug 12), Cucumber (Aug 12), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 6), Carrots (Sep 6), Beets (Sep 7), Dill (Sep 7), Swiss Chard (Sep 7), Calendula (Sep 12), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 6), Spinach (Oct 6), Radish (Oct 7). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 8). First frost around November 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 29). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 31), Lavender (Dec 31), Onion (Dec 31), Rosemary (Dec 31). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Natchitoches, LA (ZIP 71457)?
The median last spring frost date for Natchitoches, LA (ZIP code 71457) is around March 25. 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 7; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Natchitoches, LA?
The median first fall frost date for Natchitoches, LA is around November 8. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Natchitoches, LA?
The frost-free growing season in Natchitoches is about 228 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 Natchitoches (228 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 Natchitoches, LA?
Natchitoches, 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 Natchitoches, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 18 and plant out Apr 8 in Natchitoches. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Natchitoches?
Two: plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15.
When do I plant garlic in Natchitoches?
Nov 8 to Nov 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Natchitoches?
Yes: plant out Apr 8 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 9 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Leesville (ZIP 71446) has 247 frost-free days, 19 more than Natchitoches (ZIP 71457). See Leesville ZIP 71446 frost dates
Nearby and related
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