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

Planting zone for Minden, LA

Minden, LA is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 14.

Minden 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 17

First frostNov 14

Growing season241 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Minden, 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 Minden, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Minden, LA, elevation 184 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 Minden

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 14) 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 71055 came on Feb 8 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
Feb 8

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 8b in Louisiana

503 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Minden, LA.

Soil in Minden, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71055 is Malbis — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Malbis fine sandy loam, 3 to 8 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 71055; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minden, LA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,199base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 00 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation56.9 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: Minden, LA (5 mi away); precipitation: Minden 2.2 Ne, LA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Minden

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about Minden

What planting zone is Minden, LA?

Minden, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Minden, LA?

The median last spring frost is March 17 and the median first fall frost is November 14 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minden station).

When can I plant a garden in Minden, LA?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 3 – Feb 24; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 24, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Minden, LA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 18 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Minden, LA get?

About 56.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).