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When to Plant Strawberries in Acadia Parish, LA

Acadia Parish, Louisiana Zone 9a May

May to-do list for Acadia Parish, Louisiana

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Acadia Parish, Louisiana this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 12
Avg. first frost December 6
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Pick strawberries

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: strawberries

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Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Acadia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 12 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 259 feet, Acadia Parish receives approximately 61.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Strawberries will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Acadia Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 12
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Acadia Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Dec 11
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Dec 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (334 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jan 19

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.

Soil Compatibility in Acadia Parish

How your county's soil matches Strawberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0–6.5) overlaps with Strawberries's range (5.5–6.8), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Acadia Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Strawberries will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). Annual compost additions will help Strawberries.

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Acadia Parish's 297-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 357 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Acadia Parish). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Strawberries Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Strawberries needs ~6,199 GDD — county provides 8,120 GDD Excellent fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Acadia Parish, LA

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 – Mar 12
Harvest May 28 May 28 – Dec 24

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Transplant Outdoors
March Transplant Outdoors
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November Harvest
December Harvest

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

297 days in Acadia Parish

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Acadia Parish

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after February 12 in Acadia Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Acadia Parish dries quickly — mulch Strawberries with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 103°F in Acadia Parish, provide afternoon shade for Strawberries and water deeply in the morning.

Your 298.0-day growing season in Acadia Parish is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Recommended Strawberries Varieties for Acadia Parish

Everbearing varieties that produce through your long season

Seascape Albion San Andreas

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Acadia Parish, LA?

Acadia Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 12. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Acadia Parish, LA?

Acadia Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 12 and first fall frost is December 6.

🌱

Your Acadia Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Acadia Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Acadia Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.