FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in Louisiana

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 21 – Jan 28, then sow outdoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
New OrleansJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
Baton RougeJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
ShreveportJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
MetairieDec 27 – Jan 3Jan 31 – Feb 14Jan 31 – Feb 7
LafayetteJan 16 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
Lake CharlesJan 17 – Jan 24Feb 21 – Mar 7Feb 21 – Feb 28
Bossier CityJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
KennerJan 2 – Jan 9Feb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 13
MonroeFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 22
AlexandriaJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20Mar 6 – Mar 13
HoumaJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 19
MarreroDec 27 – Jan 3Jan 31 – Feb 14Jan 31 – Feb 7
New IberiaJan 13 – Jan 20Feb 17 – Mar 3Feb 17 – Feb 24
LaplaceJan 12 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2Feb 16 – Feb 23
CentralJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18Mar 4 – Mar 11
SlidellJan 27 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17Mar 3 – Mar 10
PrairievilleJan 12 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2Feb 16 – Feb 23
TerrytownJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
RustonFeb 11 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1Mar 18 – Mar 25
HammondFeb 8 – Feb 15Mar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 22
HarveyJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
SulphurFeb 2 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23Mar 9 – Mar 16
Bayou CaneJan 8 – Jan 15Feb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 19
ShenandoahJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
NatchitochesJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
GretnaJan 4 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
ChalmetteJan 13 – Jan 20Feb 17 – Mar 3Feb 17 – Feb 24
OpelousasJan 31 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
ZacharyJan 28 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18Mar 4 – Mar 11
EstelleJan 13 – Jan 20Feb 17 – Mar 3Feb 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 winter squash in Louisiana?

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 21 – Jan 28, then sow outdoors Feb 25 – Mar 11, 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 winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in Louisiana

When to plant winter squash in other states

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