Frost dates for 28652Minneapolis, NC
The average last spring frost in Minneapolis is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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) | Apr 26 · May 10 · May 24 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 16 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Minneapolis
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 | Mar 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28652 is matched to the NOAA station Roan Mtn 3Sw, TN, 12.1 km away, at 2,923 ft elevation (260 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roan Mtn 3Sw, TN (used) | 2,923 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Banner Elk, NC | 3,770 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 14 |
| Grandfather Mtn, NC | 5,280 ft | May 5 | Oct 13 |
| Beech Mtn, NC | 5,053 ft | May 6 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Minneapolis
- Plumtree, NC 28664 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Newland, NC 28657 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Elk Park, NC 28622 · last May 2, first Oct 13
- Montezuma, NC 28653 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Crossnore, NC 28616 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Linville, NC 28646 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Pineola, NC 28662 · last Apr 30, first Oct 14
- Roan Mountain, TN 37687 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Minneapolis, NC?
- For ZIP code 28652, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Roan Mtn 3Sw, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Minneapolis, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28652?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.