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

Planting zone for 71243 — Fort Necessity, LA

ZIP code 71243 (Fort Necessity, Franklin County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 71243 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 10
First frostNov 16
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 Fort Necessity, 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 Fort Necessity, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 1
Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 26 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Winnsboro 5 Sse, LA — 12 miles away, elevation 79 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 71243

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 27 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 30 – Jan 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 10) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 71243 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

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.

Trees 68

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Shrubs 105

aloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 165

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 145

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Fort Necessity, LA.

Soil in Fort Necessity, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71243 is Necessity — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Necessity silt loam.

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 71243; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Necessity, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights36nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,400base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 03 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation59.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 73 °F 93°73° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 72 °F 94°72° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 6.10 in precipitation 6.1 JanFebruary: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 5.69 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 5.69 in precipitation 5.7 AprMay: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 MayJune: 4.38 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 AugSeptember: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 5.08 in precipitation 5.1 NovDecember: 5.66 in precipitation 5.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Winnsboro 5 Sse, LA (12 mi away); precipitation: Sicily Island 3.3 Wnw, LA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

714258b
Enterprise, LA · 6 mi
713788b
Wisner, LA · 6 mi
712498b
Jigger, LA · 7 mi
713688b
Sicily Island, LA · 9 mi
713248b
Chase, LA · 12 mi
714018b
Aimwell, LA · 13 mi
713409a
Harrisonburg, LA · 13 mi
713368b
Gilbert, LA · 14 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71243

What planting zone is ZIP code 71243?

ZIP code 71243 (Fort Necessity, 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 Fort Necessity, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71243 is March 10; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winnsboro 5 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Fort Necessity, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71243 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71243?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 13 – Jan 27 and set transplants outside around Mar 17 – Mar 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71243 get?

About 59.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sicily Island 3.3 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Necessity, LA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71243 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Necessity at the center of ZIP 71243: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Necessity, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71243 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Necessity, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71243 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.