When to plant popcorn in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8b–9b, so the right time to plant popcorn shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about January 22 in New Orleans to March 28 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 22 – February 5 |
| Baton Rouge | 9a | February 28 | November 26 | February 28 – March 14 |
| Shreveport | 8b | March 9 | November 18 | March 9 – March 23 |
| Metairie | 9b | January 30 | December 31 | January 30 – February 13 |
| Lafayette | 9a | February 26 | November 28 | February 26 – March 12 |
| Lake Charles | 9a | February 14 | December 7 | February 14 – February 28 |
| Kenner | 9b | January 30 | December 31 | January 30 – February 13 |
| Bossier City | 8b | February 28 | November 24 | February 28 – March 14 |
Popcorn in Louisiana: FAQ
When can I plant popcorn in Louisiana?
Across Louisiana, the time to direct-sow popcorn spans roughly January 22 in New Orleans to March 28 in Claiborne, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the popcorn planting date vary across Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana publishes 55 cities with their own frost dates, so the right popcorn 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 popcorn take to grow in Louisiana?
Popcorn takes about 90–120 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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