When to plant in Baton Rouge, LA
USDA Zone 9aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Baton Rouge, Louisiana — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~271-day season lets Baton Rouge gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9a is warm enough that Baton Rouge can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
LSU BEN-HUR FARM · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Baton Rouge’s own odds, recorded at LSU BEN-HUR FARM.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 5 | Mar 16 | Feb 21 | Oct 29 | Nov 12 | Dec 1 |
| 32°F | Mar 21 | Feb 28 | Jan 31 | Nov 6 | Nov 26 | Dec 22 |
| 28°F | Mar 10 | Feb 7 | Jan 7 | Nov 20 | Dec 16 | Jan 16 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Baton Rouge, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 15 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Baton Rouge planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
On average, the last spring frost in Baton Rouge is around February 28 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
The first fall frost in Baton Rouge typically arrives around November 26 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Baton Rouge in?
Baton Rouge is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Baton Rouge?
There are roughly 271 frost-free days in Baton Rouge (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 28 to the first fall frost near November 26.
When should I plant tomatoes in Baton Rouge?
In Baton Rouge, start tomato seeds indoors around January 3–January 17, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Baton Rouge
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Baton Rouge’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at LSU BEN-HUR FARM, 9 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Baton Rouge, LA — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00165620. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/louisiana/baton-rouge.