FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Louisiana

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Dec 24 – Jan 7, then transplant outdoors Feb 25 – Mar 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 31 in Metairie and as late as Mar 24 in Minden.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
New OrleansDec 7 – Dec 21Feb 8 – Feb 15
Baton RougeJan 3 – Jan 17Mar 7 – Mar 14
ShreveportJan 3 – Jan 17Mar 7 – Mar 14
MetairieNov 29 – Dec 13Jan 31 – Feb 7
LafayetteDec 19 – Jan 2Feb 20 – Feb 27
Lake CharlesDec 20 – Jan 3Feb 21 – Feb 28
Bossier CityJan 3 – Jan 17Mar 7 – Mar 14
KennerDec 5 – Dec 19Feb 6 – Feb 13
MonroeJan 11 – Jan 25Mar 15 – Mar 22
AlexandriaJan 2 – Jan 16Mar 6 – Mar 13
HoumaDec 11 – Dec 25Feb 12 – Feb 19
MarreroNov 29 – Dec 13Jan 31 – Feb 7
New IberiaDec 16 – Dec 30Feb 17 – Feb 24
LaplaceDec 15 – Dec 29Feb 16 – Feb 23
CentralDec 31 – Jan 14Mar 4 – Mar 11
SlidellDec 30 – Jan 13Mar 3 – Mar 10
PrairievilleDec 15 – Dec 29Feb 16 – Feb 23
TerrytownDec 7 – Dec 21Feb 8 – Feb 15
RustonJan 14 – Jan 28Mar 18 – Mar 25
HammondJan 11 – Jan 25Mar 15 – Mar 22
HarveyDec 7 – Dec 21Feb 8 – Feb 15
SulphurJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 9 – Mar 16
Bayou CaneDec 11 – Dec 25Feb 12 – Feb 19
ShenandoahJan 3 – Jan 17Mar 7 – Mar 14
NatchitochesJan 3 – Jan 17Mar 7 – Mar 14
GretnaDec 7 – Dec 21Feb 8 – Feb 15
ChalmetteDec 16 – Dec 30Feb 17 – Feb 24
OpelousasJan 3 – Jan 17Mar 7 – Mar 14
ZacharyDec 31 – Jan 14Mar 4 – Mar 11
EstelleDec 16 – Dec 30Feb 17 – Feb 24

Showing the 30 most populous of 66 Louisiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Louisiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in Louisiana?

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Dec 24 – Jan 7, then transplant outdoors Feb 25 – Mar 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 31 in Metairie and as late as Mar 24 in Minden.

When is the last frost in Louisiana?

The average last spring frost in Louisiana ranges from January 24 in Metairie to March 17 in Minden, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Louisiana

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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