Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Leesville, LA

Leesville, LA is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 9.

Leesville 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 20

First frostNov 9

Growing season234 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Leesville, 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 Leesville, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around November 23.

From the NOAA station Leesville, 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 Leesville

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 71446 came on Jan 16 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
Jan 16

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 Leesville, LA.

Soil in Leesville, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71446 is Vaiden — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vaiden loam, 1 to 5 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 71446; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Leesville, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days95days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,350base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 07 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.3 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: Leesville, LA (4 mi away); precipitation: Leesville, LA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Leesville

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about Leesville

What planting zone is Leesville, LA?

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

When is the last frost in Leesville, LA?

The median last spring frost is March 20 and the median first fall frost is November 9 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leesville station).

When can I plant a garden in Leesville, LA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 6 – Feb 27; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 27, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Leesville, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Leesville, LA get?

About 59.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).