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

Planting zone for 71406 — Belmont, LA

ZIP code 71406 (Belmont, Sabine County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 71406 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 20

First frostNov 9

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 Belmont, 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 Belmont, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season236 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Many, LA — 11 miles away, elevation 256 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 71406

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 71406 came on Jan 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

average
Jan 312026
Jan 30

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 Belmont, LA.

Soil in Belmont, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71406 is Keithville — very fine sandy loam, moderately well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Keithville very fine sandy loam, 1 to 5 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 71406; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Belmont, LA

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days84days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,855base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 13 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

Precipitation58.3 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: Many, LA (11 mi away); precipitation: Pleasant Hill 10.2 Se, LA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

710658b

Pleasant Hill, LA · 5 mi

714508b

Marthaville, LA · 7 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71406

What planting zone is ZIP code 71406?

ZIP code 71406 (Belmont, 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 Belmont, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71406 is March 20; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Many station.

When is the first frost in Belmont, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71406 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 236 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71406?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71406 get?

About 58.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pleasant Hill 10.2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Belmont, LA?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 84 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71406 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Keithville at the center of ZIP 71406: very fine sandy loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Belmont, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71406 came on Jan 30 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 Belmont, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71406 is 14 h 13 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.