FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Louisiana

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 4, 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 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
New OrleansJan 11 – Jan 18Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
Baton RougeFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
ShreveportFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
MetairieJan 3 – Jan 10Jan 31 – Feb 14Jan 31 – Feb 7
LafayetteJan 23 – Jan 30Feb 20 – Mar 6Feb 20 – Feb 27
Lake CharlesJan 24 – Jan 31Feb 21 – Mar 7Feb 21 – Feb 28
Bossier CityFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
KennerJan 9 – Jan 16Feb 6 – Feb 20Feb 6 – Feb 13
MonroeFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 22
AlexandriaFeb 6 – Feb 13Mar 6 – Mar 20Mar 6 – Mar 13
HoumaJan 15 – Jan 22Feb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 19
MarreroJan 3 – Jan 10Jan 31 – Feb 14Jan 31 – Feb 7
New IberiaJan 20 – Jan 27Feb 17 – Mar 3Feb 17 – Feb 24
LaplaceJan 19 – Jan 26Feb 16 – Mar 2Feb 16 – Feb 23
CentralFeb 4 – Feb 11Mar 4 – Mar 18Mar 4 – Mar 11
SlidellFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 3 – Mar 17Mar 3 – Mar 10
PrairievilleJan 19 – Jan 26Feb 16 – Mar 2Feb 16 – Feb 23
TerrytownJan 11 – Jan 18Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
RustonFeb 18 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Apr 1Mar 18 – Mar 25
HammondFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 29Mar 15 – Mar 22
HarveyJan 11 – Jan 18Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
SulphurFeb 9 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 23Mar 9 – Mar 16
Bayou CaneJan 15 – Jan 22Feb 12 – Feb 26Feb 12 – Feb 19
ShenandoahFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
NatchitochesFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
GretnaJan 11 – Jan 18Feb 8 – Feb 22Feb 8 – Feb 15
ChalmetteJan 20 – Jan 27Feb 17 – Mar 3Feb 17 – Feb 24
OpelousasFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 7 – Mar 21Mar 7 – Mar 14
ZacharyFeb 4 – Feb 11Mar 4 – Mar 18Mar 4 – Mar 11
EstelleJan 20 – Jan 27Feb 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 zucchini in Louisiana?

In a typical Louisiana location, start seeds indoors Jan 28 – Feb 4, 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Louisiana

When to plant zucchini in other states

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