Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for Bogalusa, LA

Bogalusa, LA is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost November 23.

Bogalusa on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
ZIP codes2
Last frostMar 2
First frostNov 23
Growing season265 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bogalusa, LA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Bogalusa, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 6
Growing season265 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 11 and returns around December 12.

From the NOAA station Bogalusa, LA, elevation 102 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Bogalusa

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 28 – Oct 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 9 – Dec 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 23) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 70429 came on Jan 11 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 9a in Louisiana

517 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 69

Shrubs 108

Wildflowers & perennials 168

Grasses 150

Vines 14

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Bogalusa, LA.

Soil in Bogalusa, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70429 is Bassfield — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bassfield sandy loam, 1 to 3 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 70429; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bogalusa, LA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low39 °Faverage low, January
Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights28nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,646base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation63.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° JanFebruary: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° MarApril: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 70 °F 91°70° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° SepOctober: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° OctNovember: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 6.14 in precipitation 6.1 JanFebruary: 4.64 in precipitation 4.6 FebMarch: 5.14 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.1 MarApril: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 7.76 in precipitation 7.8 JunJuly: 6.35 in precipitation 6.3 JulAugust: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 AugSeptember: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 SepOctober: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 OctNovember: 4.15 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bogalusa, LA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Bogalusa, LA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Bogalusa

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about Bogalusa

What planting zone is Bogalusa, LA?

Bogalusa, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Bogalusa, LA?

The median last spring frost is March 2 and the median first fall frost is November 23 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bogalusa station).

When can I plant a garden in Bogalusa, LA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 19 – Feb 9; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 9, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Bogalusa, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 08 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Bogalusa, LA get?

About 63.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).