Hodges Gardens, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 3
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
269 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 9 Mar 3 Mar 22
First fall frost Dec 20 Nov 27 Nov 7
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 16 · first Dec 12

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HODGES GARDENS 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 Hodges Gardens

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

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 Hodges Gardens's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Hodges Gardens

With roughly 269 frost-free days, Hodges Gardens 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 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Hodges Gardens, LA?

The average last spring frost in Hodges Gardens is around Mar 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 Hodges Gardens, LA?

The average first fall frost in Hodges Gardens arrives around Nov 27. 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 Hodges Gardens?

About 269 frost-free days on average, from Mar 3 to Nov 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Hodges Gardens 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.