Morgan City, LA planting zone & frost dates
Morgan City is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. The last spring frost usually comes around January 30 and the first fall frost around January 1, for a growing season of about 335 days.
Planting calendar for Morgan City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (January 30) 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 5 – Dec 19 Transplant outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Nov 21 – Dec 5 Transplant outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Nov 21 – Dec 5 Transplant outdoors: Feb 13 – Feb 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Nov 21 – Dec 5 Transplant outdoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Nov 21 – Dec 5 Transplant outdoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Dec 19 – Jan 2 Transplant outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Nov 6 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Jan 1).
Useful for zone 9b 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 | Dec 30 | Jan 30 | Mar 5 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Feb 2 | Jan 1 | Dec 2 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 5, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before December 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around January 22.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Morgan City
- 70380 zone 9b
- 70381 zone 9b
Nearby cities
- Thibodaux zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Bayou Cane zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Grand Bayou Mobile Home Park zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Houma zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Raceland zone 9b, last frost Feb 5
- Gonzales zone 9a, last frost Feb 9
- Bayou Boeuf zone 9b, last frost Feb 9
- Prairieville zone 9a, last frost Feb 9
Questions
What growing zone is Morgan City, LA?
Morgan City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9b (average extreme winter low 25°F to 30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Morgan City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Morgan City is January 30. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 5.
When can I plant tomatoes in Morgan City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Feb 6 – Feb 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Morgan City, LA (USC00166394), 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 2 m, based on 30 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.