When Is the Last Frost in Minnesota?
The average last spring frost in Minnesota falls between April 25 and May 17 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of May 4. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Apr 23 | May 7 | Oct 16 | 175 days |
| St. Paul | Apr 24 | May 10 | Oct 16 | 174 days |
| Rochester | Apr 30 | May 13 | Oct 6 | 159 days |
| Bloomington | Apr 23 | May 7 | Oct 18 | 176 days |
| Duluth | May 14 | Jun 1 | Oct 12 | 149 days |
| Brooklyn Park | Apr 30 | May 17 | Oct 8 | 159 days |
| Woodbury | Apr 26 | May 11 | Oct 12 | 166 days |
| Plymouth | Apr 29 | May 12 | Oct 12 | 163 days |
| Lakeville | Apr 27 | May 10 | Oct 10 | 166 days |
| Blaine | May 5 | May 21 | Oct 2 | 148 days |
| St. Cloud | May 3 | May 17 | Oct 7 | 155 days |
| Mankato | Apr 30 | May 12 | Oct 9 | 161 days |
| Moorhead | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 3 | 150 days |
| Elk River | May 4 | May 18 | Oct 5 | 154 days |
| Austin | Apr 30 | May 11 | Oct 5 | 158 days |
| Owatonna | May 5 | May 20 | Oct 6 | 154 days |
| Winona | Apr 21 | May 4 | Oct 19 | 180 days |
| Willmar | Apr 30 | May 13 | Oct 7 | 159 days |
| Hibbing | Jun 5 | Jun 25 | Sep 8 | 93 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 179 Minnesota weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 15 at La Crescent Dam 7, MN to June 5 at Hibbing Chisholm Hibbing AP, MN. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Minnesota?
The average first fall frost in Minnesota arrives between September 26 and October 12 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 3. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Minneapolis has a 10% chance of frost before October 2, St. Paul has a 10% chance of frost before October 2 and Rochester has a 10% chance of frost before September 22. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Minnesota?
Transplant tomatoes in Minnesota 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 30 – May 7 in Minneapolis, May 1 – May 8 in St. Paul and May 7 – May 14 in Rochester. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 7 |
| St. Paul | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 10 |
| Rochester | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 13 |
| Bloomington | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 7 |
| Duluth | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – May 28 | after Jun 1 |
| Brooklyn Park | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 17 |
| Woodbury | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 11 |
| Plymouth | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 12 |
| Lakeville | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 11 | after May 10 |
| Blaine | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 | after May 21 |
| St. Cloud | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 17 | after May 17 |
| Mankato | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 12 |
| Moorhead | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 | after May 20 |
| Elk River | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 18 | after May 18 |
| Austin | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 11 |
| Owatonna | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 19 | after May 20 |
| Winona | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 4 |
| Willmar | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 13 |
| Hibbing | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 19 | after Jun 25 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Minneapolis and When?
Minneapolis's average last frost of April 23 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from March 12, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 26, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 30.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Mar 26 – Apr 9transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2 – Apr 9direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 30 – May 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 30 – May 14direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 14transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Minneapolis (last frost Apr 23, NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, under 1 mile from ZIP 55404). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Minnesota?
The frost-free growing season in Minnesota lasts about 130 to 169 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 151 days. Among the listed cities, Hibbing has the shortest season at 93 days and Winona the longest at 180.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Minnesota range from 93 days at Hibbing Chisholm Hibbing AP, MN to 194 days at La Crescent Dam 7, MN. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Minnesota?
Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zones 3a to 5a, with zone 4b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Minnesota planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Minnesota?
- The average last spring frost in Minnesota falls between April 25 and May 17 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of May 4. Among major cities it ranges from April 21 in Winona to June 5 in Hibbing.
- When is the last frost in Minneapolis, Minnesota?
- Minneapolis's average last spring frost is April 23, and by May 7 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 16, giving a 175-day growing season (NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Minnesota?
- Transplant tomatoes in Minnesota 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 30 – May 7 in Minneapolis, May 1 – May 8 in St. Paul and May 7 – May 14 in Rochester. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Minnesota?
- The average first fall frost in Minnesota arrives between September 26 and October 12 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 3. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Minnesota?
- The frost-free growing season in Minnesota lasts about 130 to 169 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 151 days, from 93 days in Hibbing to 180 days in Winona.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.