When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Louisiana
Louisiana’s average last spring frost is March 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 15 — about 255 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Louisiana's growing season.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Louisiana: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 5 – Mar 22, with seeds started indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Louisiana: Apr 9 · May 7 · Jun 4 · Jul 2 · Jul 30 · Aug 27
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow zucchini / summer squash in Louisiana, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 5 – Feb 19). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 5 – Mar 22). Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 42 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle, aphids. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Apr 26 – May 11). Zucchini / Summer Squash takes 45-60 days to reach harvest. One or two plants feed a household. A second sowing in early-mid summer dodges the first vine borer generation.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Louisiana’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in Louisiana
Louisiana spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (this page) | March 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 22 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Florida | February 12 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
Questions gardeners in Louisiana ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in Louisiana?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in Louisiana between March 5 and March 22. That timing is set by Louisiana's average last spring frost of March 5.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in Louisiana?
Start seeds indoors between February 5 and February 19, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 5.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in Louisiana?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 13 and August 30, so the crop matures in cool weather before Louisiana's first frost around November 15.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in Louisiana be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about April 26 to May 11, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Louisiana?
On average around March 5, with the first fall frost around November 15 - about 255 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.