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

Planting zone for 70523 — Charenton, LA

ZIP code 70523 (Charenton, St. Mary County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 11 and the first fall frost December 8.

Where ZIP 70523 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 11

First frostDec 8

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 Charenton, 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 Charenton, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 8median — 10% chance by Nov 15

Growing season303 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around December 31.

From the NOAA station Franklin 3 Nw, LA — 4 miles away, elevation 13 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 70523

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 31 – Jan 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 17 – Dec 31

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 3 – Dec 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 13 – Oct 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 24 – Dec 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 11) and first fall frost (Dec 8) 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 70523 came on Jan 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
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 Charenton, LA.

Soil in Charenton, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70523 is Iberia — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Iberia clay, 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 70523; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charenton, LA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,078base 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Franklin 3 Nw, LA (4 mi away); precipitation: Franklin 3 Nw, 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.

Jeanerette, LA · 8 mi

705409b

Garden City, LA · 8 mi

705229b

Centerville, LA · 10 mi

705529a

Loreauville, LA · 14 mi

705699a

Lydia, LA · 16 mi

705639a

New Iberia, LA · 16 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70523

What planting zone is ZIP code 70523?

ZIP code 70523 (Charenton, 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 Charenton, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70523 is February 11; after March 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklin 3 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Charenton, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70523 is December 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 303 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70523?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 17 – Dec 31 and set transplants outside around Feb 18 – Mar 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70523 get?

About 65.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklin 3 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Charenton, LA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70523 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Iberia at the center of ZIP 70523: clay, poorly drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Charenton, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70523 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Charenton, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70523 is 14 h 04 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 70523 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 70523 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.