Frost dates for 55411Minneapolis, MN
The average last spring frost in Minneapolis is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 26 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 145 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 1 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 185 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Minneapolis
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55411 is matched to the NOAA station New Hope, MN, 6.3 km away, at 910 ft elevation (41 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hope, MN (used) | 910 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 12 |
| Lower St Anthony Falls, MN | 754 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| Mpls Crystal Ap, MN | 861 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| U Of Mn St Paul, MN | 970 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Minneapolis
- Minneapolis, MN 55412 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Saint Paul, MN 55114 · last Apr 28, first Oct 8
- Hopkins, MN 55305 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Navarre, MN 55392 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Maple Plain, MN 55570 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Young America, MN 55573 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Loretto, MN 55595 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
- Maple Grove, MN 55311 · last Apr 29, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Minneapolis, MN?
- For ZIP code 55411, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Hope, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Minneapolis, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55411?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.