Frost dates for 55082Stillwater, MN
The average last spring frost in Stillwater is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 8 · May 23 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 14 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 2 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stillwater
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 21 |
| 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 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 21 |
| 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 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55082 is matched to the NOAA station Stillwater 2Sw, MN, 1.8 km away, at 898 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stillwater 2Sw, MN (used) | 898 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Stillwater 1 Se, MN | 710 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 19 |
| St Paul, MN | 900 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Vadnais Lake, MN | 890 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Stillwater
- Bayport, MN 55003 · last Apr 22, first Oct 19
- Houlton, WI 54082 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Saint Paul, MN 55115 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Willernie, MN 55090 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Lake Elmo, MN 55042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Stillwater, MN 55083 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Hudson, WI 54016 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Lakeland, MN 55043 · last Apr 23, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stillwater, MN?
- For ZIP code 55082, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Stillwater 2Sw, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Stillwater, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. 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 55082?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.