New Orleans, LA — USDA Zone 9b

Frost dates and growing season in New Orleans

All of New Orleans's mapped ZIP codes fall in the same hardiness band, Zone 9b.

These are 50%-probability averages modeled from New Orleans's USDA hardiness zone and regional climate normals — not a single-station reading. In a typical year the last spring frost will have passed by February 20, but a colder-than-average year can run 1-2 weeks later. Plant tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) once both soil and night temperatures are consistently warm — a thermometer beats the calendar.

Growing season in New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana sits in USDA Zone 9b, with roughly 288 frost-free days between an average last spring frost around February 20 and a first fall frost around December 5. That is a near year-round season — the limiting factor is summer heat, not frost, so schedule cool-season crops for winter and protect tender ones from extreme highs. New Orleans lies near 30.0°N; higher-latitude gardens get longer midsummer days but a tighter shoulder season at this zone.

What grows in New Orleans

New Orleans falls in USDA Zone 9b, so the same hardiness constraints apply as the full Zone 9 guide. Vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees rated to Zone 9b (or hardier) will overwinter here in a typical year.

• Tomatoes (year-round in many areas)
• Peppers (all year)
• Citrus (oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit)
• Avocado
• Mango (warmer areas)
• Banana
• Sweet potatoes
• Okra
• Southern peas
• Pomegranates

What to plant in New Orleans this week

New Orleans is in high summer — most spring plantings are in. Keep an eye on watering and start planning your fall crop. Cool-season seedlings (broccoli, cabbage, lettuce) can be started indoors for a fall transplant.

• When to plant tomatoes in zone 9
• When to plant peppers in zone 9
• When to plant bush beans in zone 9
• When to plant cucumbers in zone 9
• When to plant basil in zone 9

Full planting calendar for New Orleans

Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates calibrated to zone 9 averages:

• When to plant tomatoes in zone 9
• When to plant peppers in zone 9
• When to plant basil in zone 9
• When to plant garlic in zone 9
• When to plant lettuce in zone 9
• When to plant bush beans in zone 9
• When to plant cucumbers in zone 9
• When to plant summer squash in zone 9
• When to plant peas in zone 9
• When to plant carrots in zone 9

ZIP codes in New Orleans

Drill down to the precise frost window and planting calendar for a specific ZIP in New Orleans:

• 70112 — New Orleans (Zone 9b)
• 70119 — New Orleans (Mid-City) (Zone 9b)
• 70126 — New Orleans (Gentilly) (Zone 9b)

Local microclimate notes

Zone tables give you the average — but New Orleansgardens vary. South-facing walls and paved areas can run a full half-zone warmer than the published rating. Low-lying spots, frost pockets, and shaded north sides can run colder. If you've gardened here a few seasons, your own frost record — the last time you actually got frost damage — beats any national average.

Source and methodology

Hardiness zone from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023 revision). Frost-date and growing-season figures are modeled from New Orleans's USDA hardiness zone and regional NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals — zone-level estimates, not a per-station record, so treat them as planning guidance and confirm against your own local frost history. Crop recommendations draw on US Cooperative Extension references, curated by the Growli editorial team. Last reviewed June 2026.

Other cities in Louisiana

• Baton Rouge, LA — USDA Zone 9a
• Harvey, LA — USDA Zone 9b
• Houma, LA — USDA Zone 9b
• Kenner, LA — USDA Zone 9b
• Lafayette, LA — USDA Zone 9a
• Lake Charles, LA — USDA Zone 9a
• Marrero, LA — USDA Zone 9b
• Monroe, LA — USDA Zone 8b
• Shreveport, LA — USDA Zone 8b
• All of Louisiana by zone

Related guides

• USDA Zone 9 — full plant + frost guide
• Browse USDA hardiness zones by city
• Look up a ZIP code
• How to start a vegetable garden — beginner guide