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

Planting zone for 70040 — Braithwaite, LA

ZIP code 70040 (Braithwaite, Plaquemines Parish) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 18 and the first fall frost December 6.

Where ZIP 70040 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone9b25 to 30 °F

Coldest night−3.9 to −1.1 °C

Last frostFeb 18

First frostDec 6

2012 zone9a

Was 9a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Braithwaite, 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 Braithwaite, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 6median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season295 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around December 30.

From the NOAA station New Orleans Alvin Callender Fl, LA — 7 miles away, elevation 7 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 70040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 11 – Oct 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 22 – Dec 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 18) and first fall frost (Dec 6) 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 70040 came on Jan 11 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23).

average
Jan 232026
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 9b in Louisiana

519 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9b. 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 Braithwaite, LA.

Soil in Braithwaite, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70040 is Lafitte — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lafitte muck, 0 to 0.2 percent slopes, very frequently flooded.

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 70040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Braithwaite, LA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days64days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights11nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,849base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation63.8 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: New Orleans Alvin Callender Fl, LA (7 mi away); precipitation: New Orleans Alvin Callender Fl, LA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

700379b

Belle Chasse, LA · 7 mi

700939b

Belle Chasse, LA · 9 mi

700679b

Lafitte, LA · 11 mi

701819b

New Orleans, LA · 11 mi

700929b

Violet, LA · 11 mi

700859b

Saint Bernard, LA · 11 mi

701319b

New Orleans, LA · 12 mi

700569b

Gretna, LA · 12 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70040

What planting zone is ZIP code 70040?

ZIP code 70040 (Braithwaite, LA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 25 to 30 °F (−3.9 to −1.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Braithwaite, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70040 is February 18; after March 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Orleans Alvin Callender Fl station.

When is the first frost in Braithwaite, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70040 is December 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 295 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70040?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 24 – Jan 7 and set transplants outside around Feb 25 – Mar 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70040 get?

About 63.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Orleans Alvin Callender Fl station).

How hot do summers get in Braithwaite, LA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 64 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lafitte at the center of ZIP 70040: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Braithwaite, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70040 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Braithwaite, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70040 is 14 h 03 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 70040 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 70040 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.