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

Planting zone for 70363 — Houma, LA

ZIP code 70363 (Houma, Terrebonne County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 5 and the first fall frost December 17.

Where ZIP 70363 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 5

First frostDec 17

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 Houma, 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 Houma, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 23

Growing season312 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 26 and returns around January 2.

From the NOAA station Houma, LA — 12 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 70363

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 25 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 11 – Dec 25

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Nov 27 – Dec 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 22 – Nov 5

GarlicPlant cloves · Dec 3 – Jan 7

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 5) and first fall frost (Dec 17) 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 70363 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 Houma, LA.

Soil in Houma, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70363 is Barbary — mucky muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky mucktop layer

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter50%high

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Barbary muck, 0 to 1 percent slopes, 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 70363; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Houma, LA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days76days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,350base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 15 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation68 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: Houma, LA (12 mi away); precipitation: Dulac 3n, LA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9b.

All 4 ZIP codes in Houma → · Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70363

What planting zone is ZIP code 70363?

ZIP code 70363 (Houma, 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 Houma, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70363 is February 5; after March 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Houma station.

When is the first frost in Houma, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70363 is December 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 312 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70363?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 11 – Dec 25 and set transplants outside around Feb 12 – Feb 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70363 get?

About 68 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dulac 3n station).

How hot do summers get in Houma, LA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 76 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70363 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barbary at the center of ZIP 70363: mucky muck, very poorly drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Houma, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70363 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 Houma, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70363 is 14 h 02 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 70363 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 70363 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.