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

Planting zone for 70051 — Garyville, LA

ZIP code 70051 (Garyville, St. John the Baptist County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost December 14.

Where ZIP 70051 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostFeb 9

First frostDec 14

2012 zone9a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Garyville, 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 Garyville, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 21

Growing season308 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Reserve, LA — 4 miles away, elevation 16 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 70051

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 19 – Nov 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 30 – Jan 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 9) and first fall frost (Dec 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 70051 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 Garyville, LA.

Soil in Garyville, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70051 is Schriever — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Schriever clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely 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 70051; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Garyville, LA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days79days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,171base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 05 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

Precipitation64.5 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: Reserve, LA (4 mi away); precipitation: Lutcher, LA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

700769a

Mount Airy, LA · 1 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70051

What planting zone is ZIP code 70051?

ZIP code 70051 (Garyville, LA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Garyville, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70051 is February 9; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reserve station.

When is the first frost in Garyville, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70051 is December 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 308 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70051?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 15 – Dec 29 and set transplants outside around Feb 16 – Mar 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70051 get?

About 64.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lutcher station).

How hot do summers get in Garyville, LA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 79 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70051 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Schriever at the center of ZIP 70051: clay, poorly drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Garyville, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70051 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Garyville, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70051 is 14 h 05 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.