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

Planting zone for 70776 — Saint Gabriel, LA

ZIP code 70776 (Saint Gabriel, Iberville County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 9 and the first fall frost December 13.

Where ZIP 70776 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 9

First frostDec 13

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 Saint Gabriel, 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 Saint Gabriel, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostDecember 13median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season308 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around January 1.

From the NOAA station Carville 2 Sw, LA — 5 miles away, elevation 26 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 70776

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Dec 29 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 1 – Dec 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 18 – Nov 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 29 – Jan 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 9) and first fall frost (Dec 13) 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 70776 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 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 Saint Gabriel, LA.

Soil in Saint Gabriel, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 70776 is Sharkey — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sharkey clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes, rarely flooded, deltaic plain.

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 70776; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saint Gabriel, LA

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low43 °Faverage low, January

Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights10nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days7,025base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 06 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

Precipitation60.4 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: Carville 2 Sw, LA (5 mi away); precipitation: St Gabriel, LA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

707219a

Carville, LA · 3 mi

708109a

Baton Rouge, LA · 6 mi

Plaquemine, LA · 9 mi

708369a

Baton Rouge, LA · 9 mi

707289a

Duplessis, LA · 9 mi

708049a

Baton Rouge, LA · 9 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 70776

What planting zone is ZIP code 70776?

ZIP code 70776 (Saint Gabriel, 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 Saint Gabriel, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 70776 is February 9; after March 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Carville 2 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Saint Gabriel, LA?

The median first fall frost near 70776 is December 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 308 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 70776?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 15 – Dec 29 and set transplants outside around Feb 16 – Mar 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 70776 get?

About 60.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St Gabriel station).

How hot do summers get in Saint Gabriel, LA?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 72 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 70776 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sharkey at the center of ZIP 70776: clay, poorly drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Saint Gabriel, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 70776 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 Saint Gabriel, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 70776 is 14 h 06 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.