Frost dates for 55330Elk River, MN
The average last spring frost in Elk River is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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) | May 1 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 22 · May 4 · May 18 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 18 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 9 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Elk River
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 | Apr 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55330 is matched to the NOAA station Elk Rvr, MN, 1 km away, at 880 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Rvr, MN (used) | 880 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
| Cedar, MN | 907 ft | May 1 | Oct 7 |
| Andover 1N, MN | 899 ft | May 5 | Oct 2 |
| Buffalo 2Ne, MN | 992 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
Frost dates near Elk River
- Albertville, MN 55301 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Big Lake, MN 55309 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Anoka, MN 55303 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Saint Michael, MN 55376 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Dayton, MN 55327 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Zimmerman, MN 55398 · last May 7, first Sep 28
- Rogers, MN 55374 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Monticello, MN 55362 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elk River, MN?
- For ZIP code 55330, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elk Rvr, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Elk River, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55330?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.