Leland Bowman Lock, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Feb 17
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Dec 5
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
291 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 19 Feb 17 Mar 13
First fall frost Jan 4 Dec 5 Nov 13
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Jan 29 · first Dec 25

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the LELAND BOWMAN LOCK 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 Leland Bowman Lock

Computed from Leland Bowman Lock'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 23 – Jan 6 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🫑 Peppers Dec 9 – Dec 23 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🥬 Lettuce Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3 Jan 20 – Feb 17
🫛 Peas Jan 6 – Jan 20
🥕 Carrots Jan 27 – Feb 17
🥦 Broccoli Dec 30 – Jan 13 Jan 27 – Feb 10
🥬 Kale Jan 6 – Jan 20 Jan 20 – Feb 3 Jan 20 – Feb 3
🥒 Cucumbers Jan 20 – Jan 27 Feb 24 – Mar 3 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🥒 Zucchini Jan 20 – Jan 27 Feb 24 – Mar 3 Feb 24 – Mar 3
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Feb 24 – Mar 3
🌽 Sweet Corn Feb 24 – Mar 3
🌿 Basil Jan 6 – Jan 20 Feb 24 – Mar 3 Mar 3 – Mar 10
🧄 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 Leland Bowman Lock's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Leland Bowman Lock

With roughly 291 frost-free days, Leland Bowman Lock 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 Leland Bowman Lock, LA?

The average last spring frost in Leland Bowman Lock is around Feb 17, 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 Leland Bowman Lock, LA?

The average first fall frost in Leland Bowman Lock 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 Leland Bowman Lock?

About 291 frost-free days on average, from Feb 17 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 Leland Bowman Lock 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.