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

Planting zone for 70656 — Pitkin, LA

ZIP code 70656 (Pitkin, Vernon County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost November 25.

Where ZIP 70656 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 frostMar 3

First frostNov 25

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pitkin, 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 Pitkin, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 25median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season268 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 14 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Elizabeth, LA — 9 miles away, elevation 151 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 70656

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 30 – Oct 14

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 11 – Dec 16

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Nov 25) 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 70656 came on Jan 11 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
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 Pitkin, LA.

Soil in Pitkin, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70656 is Gore — very fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gore very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 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 70656; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pitkin, LA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, August

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,526base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation62.1 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: Elizabeth, LA (9 mi away); precipitation: Elizabeth, LA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Elizabeth, LA · 10 mi

714389a

Hineston, LA · 13 mi

706379a

Dry Creek, LA · 15 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70656

What planting zone is ZIP code 70656?

ZIP code 70656 (Pitkin, 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 Pitkin, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70656 is March 3; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth station.

When is the first frost in Pitkin, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70656 is November 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 268 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70656?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 6 – Jan 20 and set transplants outside around Mar 10 – Mar 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70656 get?

About 62.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elizabeth station).

How hot do summers get in Pitkin, LA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in August, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70656 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gore at the center of ZIP 70656: very fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pitkin, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70656 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pitkin, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70656 is 14 h 09 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 70656 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 70656 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.