When to plant in Lafayette, LA
USDA Zone 9aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Lafayette, Louisiana — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With about 275 frost-free days, Lafayette supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 9a is warm enough that Lafayette can grow subtropical perennials, and the short (or absent) frost period barely limits the annual calendar.
Frost probability
LAFAYETTE · 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 Lafayette’s own odds, recorded at LAFAYETTE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 3 | Mar 11 | Feb 17 | Nov 1 | Nov 13 | Dec 4 |
| 32°F | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Jan 29 | Nov 7 | Nov 28 | Dec 26 |
| 28°F | Mar 8 | Feb 5 | Jan 2 | Nov 18 | Dec 14 | Jan 18 |
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 Lafayette, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
Lafayette planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lafayette, LA?
On average, the last spring frost in Lafayette is around February 26 (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 Lafayette, LA?
In Lafayette, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 28 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Lafayette in?
Lafayette is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. In zone 9a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Lafayette?
There are roughly 275 frost-free days in Lafayette (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around February 26 to the first fall frost near November 28.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lafayette?
In Lafayette, start tomato seeds indoors around January 1–January 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lafayette
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lafayette’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Broussard · 10 km
- Carencro · 12 km
- Youngsville · 13 km
- Abbeville · 27 km
- New Iberia · 30 km
- Crowley · 33 km
- Opelousas · 36 km
- Gardere · 87 km
Frost dates recorded at LAFAYETTE, 4 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 Lafayette, LA — Frost Dates & Zone 9a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00165021. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/louisiana/lafayette.