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

Planting zone for 71443 — Kurthwood, LA

ZIP code 71443 (Kurthwood, Vernon County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 71443 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 8

First frostNov 18

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 Kurthwood, 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 Kurthwood, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 2

Growing season258 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 23 and returns around December 2.

From the NOAA station Peason Ridge Range, LA — 8 miles away, elevation 364 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 71443

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 71443 came on Jan 20 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
Jan 20

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 Kurthwood, LA.

Soil in Kurthwood, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71443 is Kisatchie — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kisatchie-Rayburn fine sandy loams, 5 to 20 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 71443; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kurthwood, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days101days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,442base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 11 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

Precipitation57.3 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: Peason Ridge Range, LA (8 mi away); precipitation: Peason Ridge Range, LA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

714689a

Provencal, LA · 10 mi

Leesville, LA · 12 mi

714969a

Leesville, LA · 15 mi

714349a

Gorum, LA · 15 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71443

What planting zone is ZIP code 71443?

ZIP code 71443 (Kurthwood, 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 Kurthwood, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71443 is March 8; after March 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peason Ridge Range station.

When is the first frost in Kurthwood, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71443 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 258 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71443?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71443 get?

About 57.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Peason Ridge Range station).

How hot do summers get in Kurthwood, LA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 101 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71443 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kisatchie at the center of ZIP 71443: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Kurthwood, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71443 came on Jan 20 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kurthwood, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71443 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 71443 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71443 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.