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

Planting zone for 71401 — Aimwell, LA

ZIP code 71401 (Aimwell, Catahoula County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 71401 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 19

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 Aimwell, 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 Aimwell, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season238 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around November 25.

From the NOAA station Jena, LA — 14 miles away, elevation 144 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 71401

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

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 19) 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 71401 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
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 Aimwell, LA.

Soil in Aimwell, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71401 is Oula — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Oula-Providence association, 5 to 25 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 71401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aimwell, LA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, August

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days83days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,033base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 14 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.5 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: Jena, LA (14 mi away); precipitation: Jena, LA (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

714258b

Enterprise, LA · 8 mi

713409a

Harrisonburg, LA · 8 mi

713639a

Rhinehart, LA · 11 mi

712438b

Fort Necessity, LA · 13 mi

713779a

Wildsville, LA · 16 mi

Sicily Island, LA · 16 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71401

What planting zone is ZIP code 71401?

ZIP code 71401 (Aimwell, 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 Aimwell, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71401 is March 19; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jena station.

When is the first frost in Aimwell, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71401 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 238 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71401?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71401 get?

About 59.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jena station).

How hot do summers get in Aimwell, LA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in August, with about 83 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71401 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oula at the center of ZIP 71401: silt loam, well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Aimwell, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71401 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Aimwell, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71401 is 14 h 14 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.