When to plant in Monroe, LA
USDA Zone 8bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Monroe, Louisiana — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With about 252 frost-free days, Monroe supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Monroe, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
MONROE RGNL AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Monroe’s own odds, recorded at MONROE RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 8 | Mar 23 | Mar 4 | Oct 21 | Nov 3 | Nov 20 |
| 32°F | Mar 25 | Mar 8 | Feb 16 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 | Dec 3 |
| 28°F | Mar 13 | Feb 23 | Jan 27 | Nov 9 | Nov 29 | Dec 25 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Monroe, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 25 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Monroe planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Monroe, LA?
Plan for the last spring frost in Monroe around March 8 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Monroe, LA?
In Monroe, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 15 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Monroe in?
Monroe is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Monroe?
There are roughly 252 frost-free days in Monroe (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 8 to the first fall frost near November 15.
When should I plant tomatoes in Monroe?
In Monroe, start tomato seeds indoors around January 11–January 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 15 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Monroe
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Monroe’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- West Monroe · 7 km
- Claiborne · 11 km
- Ruston · 52 km
- El Dorado · 95 km
- Minden · 113 km
- Vicksburg · 114 km
- Natchez · 127 km
- Natchitoches · 130 km
Frost dates recorded at MONROE RGNL AP, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Monroe, LA — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013942. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/louisiana/monroe.