Frost dates for 55056North Branch, MN
The average last spring frost in North Branch is May 19 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 128 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 19
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 128 days
Safer after Jun 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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) | May 15 · Jun 1 · Jun 14 | Sep 1 · Sep 16 · Sep 30 | 108 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 19 · Jun 3 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 128 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 18 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 148 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for North Branch
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 | Apr 18 – Jun 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jul 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – May 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55056 is matched to the NOAA station Wild Rvr Sp, MN, 18.1 km away, at 840 ft elevation (56 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Rvr Sp, MN (used) | 840 ft | May 19 | Sep 25 |
| Cambridge, MN | 965 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Forest Lake 5Ne, MN | 905 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
| St Croix Falls, WI | 750 ft | May 4 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near North Branch
- Almelund, MN 55002 · last May 19, first Sep 25
- Harris, MN 55032 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Stacy, MN 55078 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Center City, MN 55012 · last May 19, first Sep 25
- Lindstrom, MN 55045 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Chisago City, MN 55013 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Rush City, MN 55069 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Wyoming, MN 55092 · last May 3, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Branch, MN?
- For ZIP code 55056, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wild Rvr Sp, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 3.
- When is the first frost in North Branch, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55056?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 128 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.