Donaldsonville 4 SW, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 21
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 5
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
287 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Jan 23 Feb 21 Mar 15
First fall frost Jan 6 Dec 5 Nov 14
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 1 · first Dec 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the DONALDSONVILLE 4 SW 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 Donaldsonville 4 SW

Computed from Donaldsonville 4 SW'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 27 – Jan 10 Feb 28 – Mar 7
🫑 Peppers Dec 13 – Dec 27 Mar 7 – Mar 14
🥬 Lettuce Jan 10 – Jan 24 Jan 24 – Feb 7 Jan 24 – Feb 21
🫛 Peas Jan 10 – Jan 24
🥕 Carrots Jan 31 – Feb 21
🥦 Broccoli Jan 3 – Jan 17 Jan 31 – Feb 14
🥬 Kale Jan 10 – Jan 24 Jan 24 – Feb 7 Jan 24 – Feb 7
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 24 – Jan 31 Feb 28 – Mar 7 Feb 28 – Mar 7
🥒 Zucchini Jan 24 – Jan 31 Feb 28 – Mar 7 Feb 28 – Mar 7
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 28 – Mar 7
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 28 – Mar 7
🌿 Basil Jan 10 – Jan 24 Feb 28 – Mar 7 Mar 7 – Mar 14
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 24 – Nov 21

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 Donaldsonville 4 SW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Donaldsonville 4 SW

With roughly 287 frost-free days, Donaldsonville 4 SW 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 5 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Donaldsonville 4 SW, LA?

The average last spring frost in Donaldsonville 4 SW is around Feb 21, 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 Donaldsonville 4 SW, LA?

The average first fall frost in Donaldsonville 4 SW arrives around Dec 5. 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 Donaldsonville 4 SW?

About 287 frost-free days on average, from Feb 21 to Dec 5. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Donaldsonville 4 SW 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.