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

Planting zone for 70548 — Kaplan, LA

ZIP code 70548 (Kaplan, Vermilion County) is in USDA zone 9b: the coldest winter night averages 25 to 30 °F. The median last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost December 5.

Where ZIP 70548 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 17

First frostDec 5

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 Kaplan, 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 Kaplan, 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 — 13 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 70548

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 70548 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 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 Kaplan, LA.

Soil in Kaplan, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70548 is Allemands — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter58%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Allemands mucky peat, 0 to 0.5 percent slopes, tidal.

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 70548; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kaplan, 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 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation64.1 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: Leland Bowman Lock, LA (13 mi away); precipitation: Leland Bowman Lock, LA (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

705109a

Abbeville, LA · 15 mi

Abbeville, LA · 21 mi

Estherwood, LA · 26 mi

705559a

Maurice, LA · 26 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70548

What planting zone is ZIP code 70548?

ZIP code 70548 (Kaplan, 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 Kaplan, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70548 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 Kaplan, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70548 is December 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 298 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70548?

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 70548 get?

About 64.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leland Bowman Lock station).

How hot do summers get in Kaplan, 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 70548 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Allemands at the center of ZIP 70548: mucky peat, very poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kaplan, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70548 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 Kaplan, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70548 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 70548 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 70548 in zone 9a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.