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

Planting zone for 71459 — Fort Polk, LA

ZIP code 71459 (Fort Polk, Vernon County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 71459 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 20

First frostNov 9

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 Fort Polk, 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 Fort Polk, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Leesville, LA — 4 miles away, elevation 30 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 71459

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 71459 came on Jan 16 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
Jan 16

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 Fort Polk, LA.

Soil in Fort Polk, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71459 is Betis — loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Betis loamy fine sand, 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 71459; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Polk, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, August

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days95days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights39nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,350base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 10 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 08 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation61.6 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: Leesville, LA (4 mi away); precipitation: Leesville 6 Ssw, LA (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Kurthwood, LA · 18 mi

Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71459

What planting zone is ZIP code 71459?

ZIP code 71459 (Fort Polk, 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 Fort Polk, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71459 is March 20; after April 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leesville station.

When is the first frost in Fort Polk, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71459 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71459?

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 71459 get?

About 61.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leesville 6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Polk, LA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in August, with about 95 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71459 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Betis at the center of ZIP 71459: loamy fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Polk, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71459 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Polk, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71459 is 14 h 10 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 71459 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 71459 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.