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

Planting zone for 71223 — Bonita, LA

ZIP code 71223 (Bonita, Morehouse County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 71223 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 15

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bonita, 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 Bonita, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Bastrop, LA — 17 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 71223

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 1 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 18 – Feb 1

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 4 – Jan 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 15) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 71223 came on Feb 10 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 10

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 8b in Louisiana

503 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Bonita, LA.

Soil in Bonita, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71223 is Rilla — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; 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: Rilla-Hebert silt loams complex, 0 to 3 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 71223; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bonita, LA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days80days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights53nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,606base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation58 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bastrop, LA (17 mi away); precipitation: Oak Grove, LA (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Oak Grove, LA · 15 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71223

What planting zone is ZIP code 71223?

ZIP code 71223 (Bonita, LA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Bonita, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71223 is March 15; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bastrop station.

When is the first frost in Bonita, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71223 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71223?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 18 – Feb 1 and set transplants outside around Mar 22 – Apr 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71223 get?

About 58 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oak Grove station).

How hot do summers get in Bonita, LA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 80 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71223 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rilla at the center of ZIP 71223: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Bonita, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71223 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bonita, LA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71223 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.