Frost Dates for New Orleans, LA 70128
New Orleans has 22 ZIP codes. The New Orleans, LA frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 13 · First fall frost November 27 · 287 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9b
ZIP 70128 has about 23,000 people, one of 22 ZIP codes in New Orleans.
Very long season: 287 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans January 18–March 9 (50 days). Fall frost risk spans November 18–January 20 (63 days).
Frost probability for 70128
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 9 | February 13 | January 18 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 18 | November 27 | January 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST BERNARD (23.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 287-day season in New Orleans
In New Orleans (287 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 9 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 27. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 27. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 23 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Jan 23–Jan 30 | 329 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 329 available after Jan 23. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Jan 23 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Dec 19–Feb 27 | 350 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 350 available after Dec 19. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Nov 21 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 322 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 322 available after Jan 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Dec 19–Feb 6 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 322 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 322 available after Jan 16. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 336 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 16. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 308 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 308 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 392 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 9–Mar 6 | 343 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 259 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 20. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Feb 27 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 27. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 2 | Feb 6–Feb 20 | 301 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 6. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Jan 30 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 364 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Dec 19 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 336 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 336 available after Jan 16. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 27. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Dec 26 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 27. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 6 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 16–Feb 6 | 322 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 287 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 20. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 287 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 20. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 2–Jan 16 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 16 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Dec 5 | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 336 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 245 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 27. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Dec 19–Mar 13 | 350 | two-plantings: Plant Dec 19 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 301 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Nov 21 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 287 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 287 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Sage | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 301 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 5 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 301 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 301 available after Feb 20. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Nov 21 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 308 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 245 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 245 available after Feb 27. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 308 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 308 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 266 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 20. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 27. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 13. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Dec 19 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 252 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 20. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Feb 20. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in New Orleans
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Calendula (Jan 2), Cauliflower (Jan 2), Marigolds (Jan 2), Pepper (Jan 2), Basil (Jan 9), Tomato (Jan 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Jan 2), Cilantro (Jan 16), Turnip (Jan 16), Carrots (Jan 23), Potatoes (Jan 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 16), Cabbage (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), Kale (Jan 16), Lettuce (Jan 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 9). |
| February | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Feb 13), Beans (Feb 20), Pole Beans (Feb 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Feb 6), Cauliflower (Feb 6), Cosmos (Feb 13), Lavender (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Mint (Feb 13), +24 more. Last frost around February 13. |
| March | Transplant from: Basil (Mar 6). |
| 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 15), Pumpkin (Jul 15), Cantaloupe (Jul 23), Celery (Jul 23), Melons (Jul 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 25), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 2), Tomatillos (Aug 2), Eggplant (Aug 7), Corn (Aug 9), Sunflowers (Aug 21), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 26), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Sep 1), Nasturtiums (Sep 5), Okra (Sep 5), Yellow Squash (Sep 5), Zucchini (Sep 5), Cauliflower (Sep 6), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 1), Cilantro (Oct 1), Collards (Oct 5), Scallions (Oct 5), Bok Choy (Oct 6), Lettuce (Oct 6), +6 more. |
| November | Start indoors: Chives (Nov 21), Lavender (Nov 21), Onion (Nov 21), Rosemary (Nov 21). Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 27). First frost around November 27. |
| December | Start indoors: Celery (Dec 5), Collards (Dec 5), Kale (Dec 5), Oregano (Dec 5), Parsley (Dec 5), Scallions (Dec 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Dec 19), Beets (Dec 19), Dill (Dec 19), Peas (Dec 19), Radish (Dec 19), Spinach (Dec 19). Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for New Orleans, LA (ZIP 70128)?
The median last spring frost date for New Orleans, LA (ZIP code 70128) is around February 13. 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 18; one in ten it runs past March 9.
What is the first fall frost date in New Orleans, LA?
The median first fall frost date for New Orleans, LA is around November 27. 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in New Orleans, LA?
The frost-free growing season in New Orleans is about 287 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 New Orleans (287 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 New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (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 New Orleans, LA?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 9 and plant out Feb 27 in New Orleans. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in New Orleans?
Two: plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in New Orleans?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in New Orleans?
Yes: plant out Feb 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 28 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Chalmette (ZIP 70043) has 302 frost-free days, 15 more than New Orleans (ZIP 70128). See Chalmette ZIP 70043 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Chalmette, LA 70043 (6.4 mi)
- Frost dates for New Orleans, LA 70122 (7.2 mi)
- Frost dates for New Orleans, LA 70119 (9.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Gretna, LA 70056 (12 mi)
- Frost dates for Harvey, LA 70058 (14.1 mi)
- When to plant in New Orleans, LA: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in LA
- When to plant Peppers in LA
- When to plant Cucumbers in LA
- When to plant Zucchini in LA
- When to plant Butternut Squash in LA
- When to plant Basil in LA
- When to plant Sweet Corn in LA
- Look up another ZIP