Jena, LA frost dates
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Jena compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Jena falls between February 25 and April 9, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 16 days later than the Louisiana median of Mar 3.
- Its 238-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 388 Louisiana places with a regular frost season (state median 266 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 42 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 25 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 9 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Jena, LA
Jena, LA frost dates — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 12, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Jena, LA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Jena, LA weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 144 ft (44 m)).
Frost dates near Jena
- Trout Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Rhinehart Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Aimwell Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Jonesville Mar 6 · Nov 22
- Olla Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Urania Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Georgetown Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Harrisonburg Mar 19 · Nov 12
- Tullos Mar 13 · Nov 10
- Wildsville Mar 6 · Nov 22
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Jena, LA?
The median last spring frost in Jena, LA is March 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 9, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Jena, LA?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Jena, LA?
About 238 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Jena, LA?
Jena, LA is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.