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

Planting zone for 70563 — New Iberia, LA

ZIP code 70563 (New Iberia, Iberia County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 15 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 70563 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 15

First frostDec 3

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 New Iberia, 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 New Iberia, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 15median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 11

Growing season294 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 29 and returns around December 24.

From the NOAA station Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA — 5 miles away, elevation 20 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 70563

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 4 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 21 – Jan 4

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 7 – Dec 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 15) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 70563 came on Jan 15 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24).

average
Jan 242026
Jan 15

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 New Iberia, LA.

Soil in New Iberia, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70563 is Gallion — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gallion-Perry complex, gently undulating.

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 70563; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Iberia, LA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low42 °Faverage low, January

Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights14nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,733base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 05 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

Precipitation65.5 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: Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA (5 mi away); precipitation: Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

705529a

Loreauville, LA · 4 mi

705629b

New Iberia, LA · 6 mi

705699a

Lydia, LA · 8 mi

705829a

Saint Martinville, LA · 10 mi

705449b

Jeanerette, LA · 10 mi

705609b

New Iberia, LA · 10 mi

705199a

Cade, LA · 11 mi

705139b

Avery Island, LA · 14 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in New Iberia → · Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70563

What planting zone is ZIP code 70563?

ZIP code 70563 (New Iberia, 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 New Iberia, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70563 is February 15; after March 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jeanerette 5 Nw station.

When is the first frost in New Iberia, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70563 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 294 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70563?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 21 – Jan 4 and set transplants outside around Feb 22 – Mar 8, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70563 get?

About 65.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jeanerette 5 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in New Iberia, LA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70563 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gallion at the center of ZIP 70563: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in New Iberia, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70563 came on Jan 15 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Iberia, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70563 is 14 h 05 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.