Ruston, LA planting zone & frost dates
Ruston is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 11 and the first fall frost around November 16, for a growing season of about 248 days.
Planting calendar for Ruston
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 11) 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: Jan 14 – Jan 28 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 25 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 31 – Jan 14 Transplant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 28 – Feb 11 Transplant outdoors: Mar 18 – Mar 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 16).
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 31 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 4 | Nov 16 | Oct 31 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 31, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 31. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 24.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Ruston
- 71270 zone 8b
- 71272 zone 8b
- 71273 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Claiborne zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- West Monroe zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Monroe zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
- Minden zone 8b, last frost Mar 17
- Bastrop zone 8b, last frost Mar 15
- Natchitoches zone 9a, last frost Feb 28
- Bossier City zone 8b, last frost Feb 28
- Shreveport zone 8b, last frost Feb 28
Questions
What growing zone is Ruston, LA?
Ruston is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Ruston?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Ruston is March 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 31.
When can I plant tomatoes in Ruston?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 18 – Mar 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Ruston La Tech, LA (USC00168067), 1.9 km (1.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 90 m, based on 22 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.