Frost dates for 55011Cedar, MN
The average last spring frost in Cedar is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 28 · May 12 · May 30 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 11 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 1 · May 17 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 180 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cedar
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55011 is matched to the NOAA station Cedar, MN, 4.4 km away, at 907 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar, MN (used) | 907 ft | May 1 | Oct 7 |
| Andover 1N, MN | 899 ft | May 5 | Oct 2 |
| Cambridge, MN | 965 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Forest Lake 5Ne, MN | 905 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Cedar
- Bethel, MN 55005 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Saint Francis, MN 55070 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Andover, MN 55304 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Isanti, MN 55040 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Anoka, MN 55303 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Minneapolis, MN 55448 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Stacy, MN 55079 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Wyoming, MN 55092 · last May 3, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cedar, MN?
- For ZIP code 55011, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cedar, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Cedar, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55011?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.