Frost dates for 55105Saint Paul, MN
The average last spring frost in Saint Paul is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 25 · May 7 · May 24 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 14 | 144 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 1 | Oct 3 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 184 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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55105 is matched to the NOAA station U Of Mn St Paul, MN, 6.3 km away, at 970 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| U Of Mn St Paul, MN (used) | 970 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
| St Paul 3Sw, MN | 925 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 12 |
| Minneapolis/St Paul Ap, MN | 872 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
| Lower St Anthony Falls, MN | 754 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Saint Paul
- Saint Paul, MN 55104 · last Apr 28, first Oct 8
- Minneapolis, MN 55406 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Mendota, MN 55150 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- South Saint Paul, MN 55075 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Newport, MN 55055 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
- Stillwater, MN 55083 · last Apr 23, first Oct 20
- Saint Paul Park, MN 55071 · last Apr 24, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Paul, MN?
- For ZIP code 55105, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the U Of Mn St Paul, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Saint Paul, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55105?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.