When to plant pumpkin in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8b–9b, so the right time to plant pumpkin shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about February 5 in New Orleans to April 11 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 | February 5 – February 19 |
| Baton Rouge | 9a | February 28 | November 26 | March 14 – March 28 |
| Shreveport | 8b | March 9 | November 18 | March 23 – April 6 |
| Metairie | 9b | January 30 | December 31 | February 13 – February 27 |
| Lafayette | 9a | February 26 | November 28 | March 12 – March 26 |
| Lake Charles | 9a | February 14 | December 7 | February 28 – March 14 |
| Kenner | 9b | January 30 | December 31 | February 13 – February 27 |
| Bossier City | 8b | February 28 | November 24 | March 14 – March 28 |
Pumpkin in Louisiana: FAQ
When can I plant pumpkin in Louisiana?
Across Louisiana, the time to direct-sow pumpkin spans roughly February 5 in New Orleans to April 11 in Claiborne, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the pumpkin planting date vary across Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana publishes 55 cities with their own frost dates, so the right pumpkin 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 pumpkin take to grow in Louisiana?
Pumpkin 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.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.