When to plant butternut squash in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8b–9b, so the right time to plant butternut squash shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 29 in New Orleans to April 4 in Claiborne — below are local dates for 55 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 9b | January 22 | January 5 | January 29 – February 12 |
| Baton Rouge | 9a | February 28 | November 26 | March 7 – March 21 |
| Shreveport | 8b | March 9 | November 18 | March 16 – March 30 |
| Metairie | 9b | January 30 | December 31 | February 6 – February 20 |
| Lafayette | 9a | February 26 | November 28 | March 5 – March 19 |
| Lake Charles | 9a | February 14 | December 7 | February 21 – March 7 |
| Kenner | 9b | January 30 | December 31 | February 6 – February 20 |
| Bossier City | 8b | February 28 | November 24 | March 7 – March 21 |
Butternut Squash in Louisiana: FAQ
When can I plant butternut squash in Louisiana?
Across Louisiana, the time to direct-sow butternut squash spans roughly January 29 in New Orleans to April 4 in Claiborne, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the butternut squash planting date vary across Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana publishes 55 cities with their own frost dates, so the right butternut squash planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does butternut squash take to grow in Louisiana?
Butternut Squash takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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