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

Planting zone for 71418 — Columbia, LA

ZIP code 71418 (Columbia, Caldwell County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost November 22.

Where ZIP 71418 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 5

First frostNov 22

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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 22median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season263 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Columbia Lock, LA — 4 miles away, elevation 82 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 71418

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 27 – Oct 11

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 8 – Dec 13

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 5) and first fall frost (Nov 22) 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 71418 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2).

average
Feb 22026
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 Columbia, LA.

Soil in Columbia, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71418 is Hebert — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hebert 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 71418; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Columbia, LA

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days93days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights38nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,196base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 15 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation59.3 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: Columbia Lock, LA (4 mi away); precipitation: Columbia Lock, LA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Fort Necessity, LA · 19 mi

714258b

Enterprise, LA · 20 mi

712928b

West Monroe, LA · 20 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71418

What planting zone is ZIP code 71418?

ZIP code 71418 (Columbia, 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 Columbia, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71418 is March 5; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia Lock station.

When is the first frost in Columbia, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71418 is November 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 263 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71418?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 8 – Jan 22 and set transplants outside around Mar 12 – Mar 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71418 get?

About 59.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia Lock station).

How hot do summers get in Columbia, LA?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 93 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71418 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hebert at the center of ZIP 71418: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Columbia, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71418 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Columbia, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71418 is 14 h 15 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.