Frost dates for 71202Monroe, LA
The average last spring frost in Monroe is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 248 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 248 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 26 · Apr 12 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 221 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 248 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 30 · Feb 25 · Mar 15 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 24 | 276 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Monroe
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71202 is matched to the NOAA station Monroe Delta Cc, LA, 12.5 km away, at 70 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Delta Cc, LA (used) | 70 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 14 |
| Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA | 79 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 15 |
| Columbia Lock, LA | 82 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA | 120 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Monroe
- West Monroe, LA 71292 · last Mar 9, first Nov 14
- Monroe, LA 71217 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Swartz, LA 71281 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Start, LA 71279 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Eros, LA 71238 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Mangham, LA 71259 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Archibald, LA 71218 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Calhoun, LA 71225 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Monroe, LA?
- For ZIP code 71202, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monroe Delta Cc, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Monroe, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71202?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 248 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.