Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated

Planting zone for 71202 — Monroe, LA

ZIP code 71202 (Monroe, Ouachita Parish) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost November 14.

Where ZIP 71202 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F
Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C
Last frostMar 9
First frostNov 14
2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Monroe, LA…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Monroe, LA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 14median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season248 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Monroe Delta Cc, LA — 7 miles away, elevation 69 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 71202

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 19 – Oct 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 31 – Dec 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 9) and first fall frost (Nov 14) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 71202 came on Jan 31 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Louisiana

503 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Louisiana, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 68

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbald cypress130 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Shrubs 105

aloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 165

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican century plant6 ft · blooms indeterminate · high shade tolerance · to 12 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 145

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Monroe, LA.

Soil in Monroe, LA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 71202 is Wrightsville — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wrightsville silt loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 71202; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Monroe, LA

Summer high94 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days94days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,150base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb
Precipitation56.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 58 °F, low 35 °F 58°35° JanFebruary: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° FebMarch: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° AprMay: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 69 °F 91°69° JunJuly: average high 94 °F, low 72 °F 94°72° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 71 °F 94°71° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 64 °F 89°64° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°53° OctNovember: average high 68 °F, low 43 °F 68°43° NovDecember: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 5.49 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 5.5 JanFebruary: 4.94 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 4.9 FebMarch: 5.46 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.5 MarApril: 6.39 in precipitation 6.4 AprMay: 4.39 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 AugSeptember: 3.60 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 OctNovember: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Monroe Delta Cc, LA (7 mi away); precipitation: Monroe Delta Cc, LA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

712178b
Monroe, LA · 8 mi
712078b
Monroe, LA · 8 mi
712108b
Monroe, LA · 9 mi
712118b
Monroe, LA · 9 mi
712138b
Monroe, LA · 9 mi
712818b
Swartz, LA · 9 mi
712948b
West Monroe, LA · 9 mi
712128b
Monroe, LA · 9 mi

All 9 ZIP codes in Monroe → · Louisiana planting zones →

Questions about 71202

What planting zone is ZIP code 71202?

ZIP code 71202 (Monroe, LA) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Monroe, LA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 71202 is March 9; after March 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monroe Delta Cc station.

When is the first frost in Monroe, LA?

The median first fall frost near 71202 is November 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 248 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 71202?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 12 – Jan 26 and set transplants outside around Mar 16 – Mar 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 71202 get?

About 56.5 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Monroe Delta Cc station).

How hot do summers get in Monroe, LA?

The average high peaks at 94 °F in July, with about 94 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 71202 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wrightsville at the center of ZIP 71202: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Monroe, LA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 71202 came on Jan 31 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Monroe, LA?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 71202 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.