Covington 4 NNW, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Covington 4 NNW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 12
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 18
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
251 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 13 Mar 12 Apr 3
First fall frost Dec 12 Nov 18 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 19 · first Dec 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COVINGTON 4 NNW 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 Covington 4 NNW

Computed from Covington 4 NNW'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 Jan 15 – Jan 29 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🫑 Peppers Jan 1 – Jan 15 Mar 26 – Apr 2
🥬 Lettuce Jan 29 – Feb 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26 Feb 12 – Mar 12
🫛 Peas Jan 29 – Feb 12
🥕 Carrots Feb 19 – Mar 12
🥦 Broccoli Jan 22 – Feb 5 Feb 19 – Mar 5
🥬 Kale Jan 29 – Feb 12 Feb 12 – Feb 26 Feb 12 – Feb 26
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 12 – Feb 19 Mar 19 – Mar 26 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🥒 Zucchini Feb 12 – Feb 19 Mar 19 – Mar 26 Mar 19 – Mar 26
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 19 – Mar 26
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 19 – Mar 26
🌿 Basil Jan 29 – Feb 12 Mar 19 – Mar 26 Mar 26 – Apr 2
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 7 – Nov 4

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 Covington 4 NNW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Covington 4 NNW

With roughly 251 frost-free days, Covington 4 NNW 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 Nov 18 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Covington 4 NNW, LA?

The average last spring frost in Covington 4 NNW is around Mar 12, 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 Covington 4 NNW, LA?

The average first fall frost in Covington 4 NNW arrives around Nov 18. 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 Covington 4 NNW?

About 251 frost-free days on average, from Mar 12 to Nov 18. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Covington 4 NNW in?

USDA zone 9a 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.