Hackberry 8 SSW, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Hackberry 8 SSW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Feb 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 24
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
324 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 6 Feb 3 Mar 9
First fall frost Jan 22 Dec 24 Nov 26
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 22 · first Jan 3

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HACKBERRY 8 SSW 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 Hackberry 8 SSW

Computed from Hackberry 8 SSW'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 9 – Dec 23 Feb 10 – Feb 17
🫑 Peppers Nov 25 – Dec 9 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🥬 Lettuce Dec 23 – Jan 6 Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 6 – Feb 3
🫛 Peas Dec 23 – Jan 6
🥕 Carrots Jan 13 – Feb 3
🥦 Broccoli Dec 16 – Dec 30 Jan 13 – Jan 27
🥬 Kale Dec 23 – Jan 6 Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 6 – Jan 20
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 6 – Jan 13 Feb 10 – Feb 17 Feb 10 – Feb 17
🥒 Zucchini Jan 6 – Jan 13 Feb 10 – Feb 17 Feb 10 – Feb 17
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 10 – Feb 17
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 10 – Feb 17
🌿 Basil Dec 23 – Jan 6 Feb 10 – Feb 17 Feb 17 – Feb 24
🧄 Garlic Fall: Nov 12 – Dec 10

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 Hackberry 8 SSW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Hackberry 8 SSW

With roughly 324 frost-free days, Hackberry 8 SSW 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 24 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Hackberry 8 SSW, LA?

The average last spring frost in Hackberry 8 SSW is around Feb 3, 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 Hackberry 8 SSW, LA?

The average first fall frost in Hackberry 8 SSW arrives around Dec 24. 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 Hackberry 8 SSW?

About 324 frost-free days on average, from Feb 3 to Dec 24. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Hackberry 8 SSW 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.