Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Gonzales, LA

Gonzales, LA is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 21 and the first fall frost December 5.

Gonzales 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 frostFeb 21

First frostDec 5

Growing season291 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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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 Gonzales, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostFebruary 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season291 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 1 and returns around December 28.

From the NOAA station Donaldsonville 4 Sw, LA, elevation 30 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 Gonzales

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 10 – Jan 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 13 – Dec 27

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 21) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 70737 came on Jan 11 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

average
Jan 252026
Jan 11

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.

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 Gonzales, LA.

Soil in Gonzales, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70737 is Galvez — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Galvez silt loam.

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 70737; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gonzales, LA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,025base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation65.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Carville 2 Sw, LA (12 mi away); precipitation: Gonzales, LA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Gonzales

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about Gonzales

What planting zone is Gonzales, LA?

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

When is the last frost in Gonzales, LA?

The median last spring frost is February 21 and the median first fall frost is December 5 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Donaldsonville 4 Sw station).

When can I plant a garden in Gonzales, LA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 10 – Jan 31; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 28, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Gonzales, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Gonzales, LA get?

About 65.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).