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Monroe, LA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 71201 · elevation 21′ · NOAA & USDA data

Monroe is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 253 days between the average last spring frost (March 8) and first fall frost (November 15). The warmest month is August (avg high 94.1°F); the coldest is January (avg low 34.7°F). It averages 56.5″ of precipitation a year and 0.6″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
8b
min temp 15 to 20°F
Last spring frost
March 8
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 15
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
253 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
August
avg high 94.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Monroe

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Monroe Delta Cc, LA (5.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 57.6 34.7 46.2 5.5 0.3
February 61 38.2 49.6 4.9 0.2
March 69.3 45.5 57.4 5.5 0.1
April 77 52.6 64.8 6.4 0
May 84.5 62 73.3 4.4 0
June 91.1 68.7 79.9 4.3 0
July 93.9 72.2 83.1 4 0
August 94.1 70.9 82.5 3.7 0
September 88.9 64.2 76.5 3.6 0
October 79.7 52.5 66.1 4.5 0
November 67.9 42.7 55.3 4.5 0
December 59.8 37.1 48.4 5.3 0

What to plant when in Monroe

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: January 25 · Transplant out: March 15
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 11 · Transplant out: March 22
CucumberswarmDirect sow: March 15
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: March 15
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: March 15
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: March 15
BasilwarmTransplant out: March 15
PeascoolSow (spring): February 1 · Sow (fall): September 20
SpinachcoolSow (spring): January 25 · Sow (fall): September 20
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 8 · Sow (fall): September 20
KalecoolTransplant (spring): February 15 · Sow (fall): September 6
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): February 22
CarrotscoolSow (spring): February 15 · Sow (fall): September 6
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 8
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: February 22
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 8 · Sow (fall): October 4

Dates are computed from Monroe's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Louisiana

Alexandria, LABossier City, LAShreveport, LABaton Rouge, LALafayette, LALake Charles, LAKenner, LANew Orleans, LA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA, 4.2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Monroe Delta Cc, LA, 5.4 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.