Frost dates for 55312Brownton, MN
The average last spring frost in Brownton is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 28 · May 10 · May 24 | Sep 14 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brownton
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 14 |
| 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 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 14 |
| 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 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55312 is matched to the NOAA station Brownton Wwtp, MN, 1.1 km away, at 1,040 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brownton Wwtp, MN (used) | 1,040 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 4 |
| Hutchinson 1 N, MN | 1,095 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
| Gaylord, MN | 1,020 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| Dassel 3Se, MN | 1,065 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Brownton
- Stewart, MN 55385 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- New Auburn, MN 55366 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Glencoe, MN 55336 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Hutchinson, MN 55350 · last Apr 28, first Oct 8
- Winthrop, MN 55396 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Buffalo Lake, MN 55314 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Plato, MN 55370 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Gaylord, MN 55334 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brownton, MN?
- For ZIP code 55312, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brownton Wwtp, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Brownton, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55312?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.