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

Planting zone for 71429 — Florien, LA

ZIP code 71429 (Florien, Sabine County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 3 and the first fall frost November 27.

Where ZIP 71429 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 3

First frostNov 27

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Florien, 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 Florien, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 27median — 10% chance by Nov 7

Growing season267 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 16 and returns around December 12.

From the NOAA station Hodges Gardens, LA — 2 miles away, elevation 420 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 71429

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 20 – Feb 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 23 – Jan 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 2 – Oct 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 13 – Dec 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 3) and first fall frost (Nov 27) 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 71429 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
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 9a in Louisiana

517 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Florien, LA.

Soil in Florien, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71429 is Guyton — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Guyton-Iulus complex, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 71429; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Florien, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days92days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights25nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,446base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 12 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation58.7 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: Hodges Gardens, LA (2 mi away); precipitation: Hodges Gardens, LA (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Kurthwood, LA · 16 mi

714689a

Provencal, LA · 18 mi

759489a

Hemphill, TX · 19 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71429

What planting zone is ZIP code 71429?

ZIP code 71429 (Florien, LA) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Florien, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71429 is March 3; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hodges Gardens station.

When is the first frost in Florien, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71429 is November 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 267 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71429?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 6 – Jan 20 and set transplants outside around Mar 10 – Mar 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71429 get?

About 58.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hodges Gardens station).

How hot do summers get in Florien, LA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 92 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71429 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Guyton at the center of ZIP 71429: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Florien, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71429 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Florien, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71429 is 14 h 12 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 71429 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71429 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.