When to Plant Potatoes in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Jan 1 – Jan 15 in New Orleans to Feb 24 – Mar 10 in Minden. In New Orleans, it's Jan 1 – Jan 15. The average last spring frost differs by about 8 weeks across the state (Jan 22 in New Orleans, Mar 17 in Minden), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Louisiana by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | 9a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Alexandria | 9a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Baker | 9a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Baton Rouge | 9a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Bogalusa | 9a | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Bossier City | 8b | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Broussard | 9a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| Carencro | 9a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Central | 9a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Covington | 9a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Crowley | 9a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| DeRidder | 9a | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Denham Springs | 9a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Eunice | 9a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Gonzales | 9a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Gretna | 9b | Jan 11 – Jan 25 |
| Hammond | 9a | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Houma | 9b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Jennings | 9a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Kenner | 9b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Lafayette | 9a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Lake Charles | 9a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Mandeville | 9a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Minden | 8b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Monroe | 8b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Morgan City | 9b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 |
| Natchitoches | 9a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| New Iberia | 9b | Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| New Orleans | 9b | Jan 1 – Jan 15 |
| Opelousas | 9a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Pineville | 9a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Ruston | 8b | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Scott | 9a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Shreveport | 8b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Slidell | 9a | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Sulphur | 9a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Thibodaux | 9b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| West Monroe | 8b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Youngsville | 9a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Zachary | 9a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Louisiana, or the general guide to when to plant potatoes.
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