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

Planting zone for 71226 — Chatham, LA

ZIP code 71226 (Chatham, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 71226 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 28

First frostNov 5

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Chatham, 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 Chatham, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season224 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA — 19 miles away, elevation 121 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 71226

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 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 71226 came on Jan 31 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Jan 31

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 Chatham, LA.

Soil in Chatham, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71226 is Sacul — fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureFine 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%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sacul fine sandy loam, 5 to 20 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 71226; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chatham, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days93days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,729base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 16 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.4 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: Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA (19 mi away); precipitation: Jonesboro 4 Ene, LA (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Jonesboro, LA · 14 mi

712928b

West Monroe, LA · 16 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71226

What planting zone is ZIP code 71226?

ZIP code 71226 (Chatham, 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 Chatham, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71226 is March 28; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Calhoun Rsch Stn station.

When is the first frost in Chatham, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71226 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 224 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71226?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71226 get?

About 55.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jonesboro 4 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Chatham, LA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 93 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71226 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sacul at the center of ZIP 71226: fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Chatham, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71226 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chatham, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71226 is 14 h 16 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 71226 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71226 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.