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

Planting zone for 71250 — Jones, LA

ZIP code 71250 (Jones, Morehouse County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 71250 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 14

First frostNov 10

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 Jones, 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 Jones, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 1only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Portland, AR — 20 miles away, elevation 128 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 71250

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 14) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 71250 came on Feb 11 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 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 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 Jones, LA.

Soil in Jones, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71250 is Sterlington — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sterlington silt loam, 0 to 1 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 71250; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Jones, LA

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days88days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights52nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,610base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 58 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: Portland, AR (20 mi away); precipitation: Oak Grove, LA (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Oak Grove, LA · 10 mi

716618b

Parkdale, AR · 13 mi

712618b

Mer Rouge, LA · 14 mi

712428b

Forest, LA · 15 mi

712538b

Kilbourne, LA · 15 mi

712668b

Pioneer, LA · 18 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71250

What planting zone is ZIP code 71250?

ZIP code 71250 (Jones, 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 Jones, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71250 is March 14; after April 1 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Portland station.

When is the first frost in Jones, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71250 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71250?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 17 – Jan 31 and set transplants outside around Mar 21 – Apr 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71250 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 Jones, LA?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 88 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71250 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sterlington at the center of ZIP 71250: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Jones, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71250 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Jones, LA?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 71250 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 71250 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71250 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.