Chalmette, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Chalmette garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 10
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 17
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
310 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 12 Feb 10 Mar 8
First fall frost Jan 14 Dec 17 Nov 21
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 26 · first Jan 2

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CHALMETTE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Chalmette

Computed from Chalmette's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Dec 16 – Dec 30 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🫑 Peppers Dec 2 – Dec 16 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🥬 Lettuce Dec 30 – Jan 13 Jan 13 – Jan 27 Jan 13 – Feb 10
🫛 Peas Dec 30 – Jan 13
🥕 Carrots Jan 20 – Feb 10
🥦 Broccoli Dec 23 – Jan 6 Jan 20 – Feb 3
🥬 Kale Dec 30 – Jan 13 Jan 13 – Jan 27 Jan 13 – Jan 27
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 13 – Jan 20 Feb 17 – Feb 24 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🥒 Zucchini Jan 13 – Jan 20 Feb 17 – Feb 24 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 17 – Feb 24
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 17 – Feb 24
🌿 Basil Dec 30 – Jan 13 Feb 17 – Feb 24 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 5 – Dec 3

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Chalmette's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Chalmette

With roughly 310 frost-free days, Chalmette gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Dec 17 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Chalmette, LA?

The average last spring frost in Chalmette is around Feb 10, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Chalmette, LA?

The average first fall frost in Chalmette arrives around Dec 17. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Chalmette?

About 310 frost-free days on average, from Feb 10 to Dec 17. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Chalmette in?

USDA zone 9b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.