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

Planting zone for 70510 — Abbeville, LA

ZIP code 70510 (Abbeville, Vermilion County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 70510 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 17
First frostDec 5
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 Abbeville, 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 Abbeville, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 5median — 10% chance by Nov 13
Growing season298 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 29 and returns around December 25.

From the NOAA station Leland Bowman Lock, LA — 7 miles away, elevation 39 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 70510

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 6 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6
TomatoesTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 9 – Dec 23
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
BeansSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 10 – Oct 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 21 – Dec 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 17) and first fall frost (Dec 5) 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 70510 came on Jan 11 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 25).

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.

Trees 69

Shrubs 108

Wildflowers & perennials 168

Grasses 150

Vines 14

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 Abbeville, LA.

Soil in Abbeville, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70510 is Judice — silty clay, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Judice silty 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 70510; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Abbeville, LA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low41 °Faverage low, January
Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,576base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 04 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 13 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation65.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 41 °F 60°41° JanFebruary: average high 63 °F, low 45 °F 63°45° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 51 °F 69°51° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 58 °F 75°58° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 66 °F 82°66° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 72 °F 88°72° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 73 °F 90°73° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 73 °F 90°73° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 69 °F 87°69° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 59 °F 80°59° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 43 °F 62°43° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 5.76 in precipitation 5.8 JanFebruary: 4.14 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 MarApril: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 AprMay: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 7.38 in precipitation 7.4 JunJuly: 7.09 in precipitation 7.1 JulAugust: 7.24 in precipitation 7.2 AugSeptember: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 SepOctober: 5.11 in precipitation 5.1 OctNovember: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Leland Bowman Lock, LA (7 mi away); precipitation: Abbeville, LA (7 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.

All 2 ZIP codes in Abbeville → · Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70510

What planting zone is ZIP code 70510?

ZIP code 70510 (Abbeville, 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 Abbeville, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70510 is February 17; after March 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leland Bowman Lock station.

When is the first frost in Abbeville, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70510 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 298 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70510?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 23 – Jan 6 and set transplants outside around Feb 24 – Mar 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70510 get?

About 65.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Abbeville station).

How hot do summers get in Abbeville, LA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70510 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Judice at the center of ZIP 70510: silty clay, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Abbeville, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70510 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 Abbeville, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70510 is 14 h 04 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.