When to plant in Covington, LA
USDA Zone 9aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Covington, Louisiana — all computed from Covington's nearest NOAA weather station.
A generous ~251-day season lets Covington gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9a is warm enough that Covington can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average last spring frost in Covington is now 5 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
COVINGTON 4 NNW · 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 Covington’s own odds, recorded at COVINGTON 4 NNW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 15 | Mar 27 | Mar 3 | Oct 24 | Nov 7 | Nov 25 |
| 32°F | Apr 3 | Mar 12 | Feb 13 | Nov 1 | Nov 18 | Dec 12 |
| 28°F | Mar 17 | Feb 19 | Jan 18 | Nov 12 | Dec 3 | Jan 6 |
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 Covington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 32 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.
Covington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Covington, LA?
On average, the last spring frost in Covington is around March 12 (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 Covington, LA?
Expect Covington's first fall frost near November 18 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Covington in?
Covington is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Covington?
There are roughly 251 frost-free days in Covington (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 12 to the first fall frost near November 18.
When should I plant tomatoes in Covington?
In Covington, start tomato seeds indoors around January 15–January 29, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 19 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Covington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Covington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Mandeville · 12 km
- Hammond · 33 km
- Slidell · 38 km
- Bogalusa · 41 km
- Picayune · 43 km
- New Orleans · 50 km
- Metairie · 54 km
- Kenner · 54 km
Frost dates recorded at COVINGTON 4 NNW, 5 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 Covington, LA — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00162151. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/louisiana/covington.