When to plant in Gretna, LA
USDA Zone 9bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Gretna, Louisiana — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
A generous ~333-day season lets Gretna gardeners direct-sow more and still ripen long-maturity crops like melons and winter squash. Zone 9b is warm enough that Gretna can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
The average first fall frost in Gretna is now 8 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
TERRYTOWN 3S · 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 Gretna’s own odds, recorded at TERRYTOWN 3S.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Mar 16 | Feb 22 | Jan 23 | Nov 17 | Dec 9 | Jan 7 |
| 32°F | Mar 6 | Feb 1 | Jan 2 | Dec 1 | Dec 31 | Jan 29 |
| 28°F | Feb 26 | Jan 23 | Dec 29 | Dec 20 | Jan 8 | Feb 9 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Nothing new to sow or transplant outdoors in the next few weeks — a seasonal lull. Check the full-year calendar below for the next window.
Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Gretna, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 8 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.
Gretna planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Gretna, LA?
Gretna's average last spring frost falls near February 1 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Gretna, LA?
In Gretna, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around December 31 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Gretna in?
Gretna is in USDA hardiness zone 9b. In zone 9b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Gretna?
There are roughly 333 frost-free days in Gretna (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 1 to the first fall frost near December 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Gretna?
In Gretna, start tomato seeds indoors around December 7–December 21, then transplant seedlings outdoors around February 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Gretna
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Gretna’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Terrytown · 2 km
- Harvey · 3 km
- Timberlane · 4 km
- Marrero · 7 km
- Belle Chasse · 7 km
- Woodmere · 8 km
- Estelle · 9 km
- Chalmette · 9 km
Frost dates recorded at TERRYTOWN 3S, 2 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 Gretna, LA — Frost Dates & Zone 9b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00168941. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/louisiana/gretna.