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When to Plant Potatoes in Terrebonne Parish, LA

Potatoes are a versatile staple crop that produces tubers underground. They come in hundreds of varieties with varying colors, textures, and maturity dates.

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 7 and the first fall frost is December 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 304 days.

At an elevation of 484 feet, Terrebonne Parish receives approximately 61.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Potatoes may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Potatoes will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Potatoes root diseases.

Terrebonne Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
304 days
Last Spring Frost February 7
304 growing days
First Fall Frost December 8

Terrebonne Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 14 Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 12 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 27 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jul 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (142 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Aug 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~2,518 GDD — county provides 8,082 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Terrebonne Parish, LA

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 27 Dec 27 โ€“ Jan 10
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Direct Sow February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 28
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ Jul 4

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December Start Indoors

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

304 days

Growing Tips for Terrebonne Parish

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 4 inches deep in spring. Hill soil around stems as plants grow to prevent greening. Stop watering when plants die back.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Squash Summer

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 7. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Terrebonne Parish, LA?

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 7 and first fall frost is December 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Terrebonne Parish gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Terrebonne Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.