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

Planting zone for 71284 — Tallulah, LA

ZIP code 71284 (Tallulah, Madison County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 71284 is

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 2

First frostNov 24

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 Tallulah, 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 Tallulah, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 6

Growing season271 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 13 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Tallulah, LA — within 1 mile, elevation 85 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 71284

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 19 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 22 – Jan 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 2) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 71284 came on Feb 1 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
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.

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 Tallulah, LA.

Soil in Tallulah, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71284 is Commerce — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.95%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Commerce 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 71284; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tallulah, LA

Summer high95 °Faverage high, August

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days82days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights34nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,824base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.9 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: Tallulah, LA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Tallulah, LA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

712828b

Tallulah, LA · 5 mi

712768b

Sondheimer, LA · 12 mi

712338b

Delta, LA · 16 mi

712868b

Transylvania, LA · 17 mi

712328b

Delhi, LA · 18 mi

391818b

Vicksburg, MS · 19 mi

391828b

Vicksburg, MS · 19 mi

391808b

Vicksburg, MS · 21 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Tallulah → · Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71284

What planting zone is ZIP code 71284?

ZIP code 71284 (Tallulah, 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 Tallulah, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71284 is March 2; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tallulah station.

When is the first frost in Tallulah, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71284 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 271 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71284?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 5 – Jan 19 and set transplants outside around Mar 9 – Mar 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71284 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tallulah station).

How hot do summers get in Tallulah, LA?

The average high peaks at 95 °F in August, with about 82 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71284 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Commerce at the center of ZIP 71284: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Tallulah, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71284 came on Feb 1 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tallulah, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71284 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.