Frost dates for 55390Waverly, MN
The average last spring frost in Waverly is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 25 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 22 · May 3 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waverly
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 18 |
| 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 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 18 |
| 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 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55390 is matched to the NOAA station Delano, MN, 15 km away, at 975 ft elevation (29 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delano, MN (used) | 975 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| Buffalo 2Ne, MN | 992 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Dassel 3Se, MN | 1,065 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Hutchinson 1 N, MN | 1,095 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Waverly
- Montrose, MN 55363 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Howard Lake, MN 55349 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Delano, MN 55328 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Winsted, MN 55395 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Buffalo, MN 55313 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Watertown, MN 55388 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Maple Plain, MN 55592 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Maple Lake, MN 55358 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waverly, MN?
- For ZIP code 55390, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Delano, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Waverly, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55390?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.