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

Planting zone for 70515 — Basile, LA

ZIP code 70515 (Basile, Evangeline County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 70515 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 26

First frostNov 27

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 Basile, 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 Basile, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 8

Growing season276 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 5 and returns around December 17.

From the NOAA station Eunice, LA — 9 miles away, elevation 49 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 70515

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 26) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 70515 came on Jan 11 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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 Basile, LA.

Soil in Basile, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70515 is Crowley — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.66%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Crowley silt loam, 0 to 1 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 70515; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Basile, LA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days111days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights19nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,796base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.9 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: Eunice, LA (9 mi away); precipitation: Eunice, LA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Evangeline, LA · 14 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70515

What planting zone is ZIP code 70515?

ZIP code 70515 (Basile, 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 Basile, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70515 is February 26; after March 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eunice station.

When is the first frost in Basile, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70515 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 276 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70515?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 1 – Jan 15 and set transplants outside around Mar 5 – Mar 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70515 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eunice station).

How hot do summers get in Basile, LA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 111 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70515 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Crowley at the center of ZIP 70515: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Basile, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70515 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Basile, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70515 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.