Abbeville, LA planting zone & frost dates
Abbeville is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around February 17 and the first fall frost around December 5, for a growing season of about 298 days.
Planting calendar for Abbeville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (February 17) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Dec 23 – Jan 6 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 Transplant outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 9 – Dec 23 Transplant outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 3 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 3 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 6 – Jan 20 Transplant outdoors: Feb 24 – Mar 3 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 10 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Dec 5).
Useful for zone 9a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Jan 19 | Feb 17 | Mar 13 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Jan 4 | Dec 5 | Nov 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 13, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 29.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Abbeville
- 70510 zone 9a
- 70511 zone 9a
Nearby cities
- Youngsville zone 9a, last frost Feb 19
- Broussard zone 9a, last frost Feb 13
- Lafayette zone 9a, last frost Feb 13
- New Iberia zone 9b, last frost Feb 10
- Crowley zone 9a, last frost Feb 20
- Opelousas zone 9a, last frost Feb 28
- Jennings zone 9a, last frost Feb 19
- Eunice zone 9a, last frost Feb 26
Questions
What growing zone is Abbeville, LA?
Abbeville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Abbeville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Abbeville is February 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 13.
When can I plant tomatoes in Abbeville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 24 – Mar 3. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Leland Bowman Lock, LA (USC00165296), 22.1 km (13.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 12 m, based on 26 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.