Frost dates for 55101Saint Paul, MN
The average last spring frost in Saint Paul is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 175 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 20 · May 4 · May 18 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 10 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 11 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Paul
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55101 is matched to the NOAA station St Paul Downtown Ap, MN, 3.5 km away, at 700 ft elevation (61 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Paul Downtown Ap, MN (used) | 700 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
| St Paul, MN | 900 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| St Paul 3Sw, MN | 925 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 12 |
| U Of Mn St Paul, MN | 970 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Saint Paul
- Saint Paul, MN 55155 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- South Saint Paul, MN 55075 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Mendota, MN 55150 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Minneapolis, MN 55406 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Newport, MN 55055 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Stillwater, MN 55083 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Lake Elmo, MN 55042 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Paul, MN?
- For ZIP code 55101, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St Paul Downtown Ap, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 10.
- When is the first frost in Saint Paul, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55101?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.