Monroe 26 N, LA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Monroe 26 N garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 25
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 5
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
225 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 2 Mar 25 Apr 10
First fall frost Nov 23 Nov 5 Oct 20
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 9 · first Nov 18

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MONROE 26 N station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Monroe 26 N

Computed from Monroe 26 N's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 28 – Feb 11 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🫑 Peppers Jan 14 – Jan 28 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🥬 Lettuce Feb 11 – Feb 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11 Feb 25 – Mar 25
🫛 Peas Feb 11 – Feb 25
🥕 Carrots Mar 4 – Mar 25
🥦 Broccoli Feb 4 – Feb 18 Mar 4 – Mar 18
🥬 Kale Feb 11 – Feb 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11 Feb 25 – Mar 11
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 25 – Mar 4 Apr 1 – Apr 8 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🥒 Zucchini Feb 25 – Mar 4 Apr 1 – Apr 8 Apr 1 – Apr 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 1 – Apr 8
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 1 – Apr 8
🌿 Basil Feb 11 – Feb 25 Apr 1 – Apr 8 Apr 8 – Apr 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 24 – Oct 22

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Monroe 26 N's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Monroe 26 N

With roughly 225 frost-free days, Monroe 26 N gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 5 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Monroe 26 N, LA?

The average last spring frost in Monroe 26 N is around Mar 25, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Monroe 26 N, LA?

The average first fall frost in Monroe 26 N arrives around Nov 5. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Monroe 26 N?

About 225 frost-free days on average, from Mar 25 to Nov 5. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Monroe 26 N in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.