Frost dates for 55066Red Wing, MN
The average last spring frost in Red Wing is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 14, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 14
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 21 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 12 · Apr 28 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Red Wing
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 24 |
| 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 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| 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 14 – Jun 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jul 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 4 – Nov 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55066 is matched to the NOAA station Red Wing Dam 3, MN, 8 km away, at 677 ft elevation (176 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Wing Dam 3, MN (used) | 677 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Ellsworth 1E, WI | 1,030 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| Zumbrota, MN | 970 ft | May 9 | Sep 30 |
| River Falls, WI | 940 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Red Wing
- Hager City, WI 54014 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Bay City, WI 54723 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Welch, MN 55089 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Frontenac, MN 55026 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Goodhue, MN 55027 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Ellsworth, WI 54011 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- East Ellsworth, WI 54010 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Maiden Rock, WI 54750 · last May 13, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Red Wing, MN?
- For ZIP code 55066, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Red Wing Dam 3, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Red Wing, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55066?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.