Frost dates for 55016Cottage Grove, MN
The average last spring frost in Cottage Grove is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 19 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 11 · Apr 30 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 12 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cottage Grove
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55016 is matched to the NOAA station Hastings Dam 2, MN, 9.7 km away, at 680 ft elevation (199 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings Dam 2, MN (used) | 680 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 19 |
| St Paul Downtown Ap, MN | 700 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
| St Paul, MN | 900 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Rosemount Rsch & Outreach Ctr, MN | 945 ft | May 2 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Cottage Grove
- Saint Paul Park, MN 55071 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Newport, MN 55055 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Saint Paul, MN 55129 · last Apr 28, first Oct 8
- Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Afton, MN 55001 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- South Saint Paul, MN 55075 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Hastings, MN 55033 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
- Prescott, WI 54021 · last May 11, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cottage Grove, MN?
- For ZIP code 55016, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hastings Dam 2, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Cottage Grove, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55016?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 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.