Frost dates for 55333Franklin, MN
The average last spring frost in Franklin is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (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 28 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 18 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Franklin
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 55333 is matched to the NOAA station Redwood Falls Muni Ap, MN, 14.9 km away, at 1,021 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood Falls Muni Ap, MN (used) | 1,021 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 4 |
| Redwood Falls, MN | 1,020 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Olivia 3E, MN | 1,100 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| Springfield 1 Nw, MN | 1,066 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Franklin
- Morton, MN 56270 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Fairfax, MN 55332 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Morgan, MN 56266 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Redwood Falls, MN 56283 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Clements, MN 56224 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Bird Island, MN 55310 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Olivia, MN 56277 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Hector, MN 55342 · last May 6, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Franklin, MN?
- For ZIP code 55333, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Redwood Falls Muni Ap, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Franklin, 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 55333?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.