Frost dates for 71294West Monroe, LA
The average last spring frost in West Monroe is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 253 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Mar 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 4 · Mar 23 · Apr 8 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 16 · Mar 8 · Mar 25 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 27 · Feb 23 · Mar 13 | Nov 9 · Nov 29 · Dec 25 | 283 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West 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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71294 is matched to the NOAA station Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA, 11.5 km away, at 79 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA (used) | 79 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 15 |
| Monroe Delta Cc, LA | 70 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 14 |
| Calhoun Rsch Stn, LA | 120 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 5 |
| Bastrop, LA | 150 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near West Monroe
- Monroe, LA 71210 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Swartz, LA 71281 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- West Monroe, LA 71292 · last Mar 9, first Nov 14
- Calhoun, LA 71225 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Eros, LA 71238 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Fairbanks, LA 71240 · last Mar 8, first Nov 15
- Sterlington, LA 71280 · last Mar 15, first Nov 12
- Downsville, LA 71234 · last Mar 14, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Monroe, LA?
- For ZIP code 71294, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monroe Rgnl Ap, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 25.
- When is the first frost in West Monroe, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71294?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 253 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.