Frost dates for 55415Minneapolis, MN
The average last spring frost in Minneapolis is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (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 20 · May 4 · May 21 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 14 · Apr 27 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 195 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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55415 is matched to the NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, 1 km away, at 754 ft elevation (99 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower St Anthony Falls, MN (used) | 754 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| U Of Mn St Paul, MN | 970 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 8 |
| St Paul 3Sw, MN | 925 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 12 |
| New Hope, MN | 910 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Minneapolis
- Minneapolis, MN 55440 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Saint Paul, MN 55114 · last Apr 28, first Oct 8
- Mendota, MN 55150 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Minneapolis, MN?
- For ZIP code 55415, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lower St Anthony Falls, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Minneapolis, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55415?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.