Frost dates for 55420Minneapolis, MN
The average last spring frost in Minneapolis is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 3 · May 17 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 13 · Apr 28 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 197 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 28 |
| 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 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 28 |
| 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 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55420 is matched to the NOAA station Minneapolis/St Paul Ap, MN, 6.5 km away, at 872 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis/St Paul Ap, MN (used) | 872 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
| St Paul 3Sw, MN | 925 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 12 |
| Mpls Flying Cloud Ap, MN | 907 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
| Lower St Anthony Falls, MN | 754 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Minneapolis
- Minneapolis, MN 55431 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Saint Paul, MN 55122 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Burnsville, MN 55337 · last Apr 27, first Oct 10
- Savage, MN 55378 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Mendota, MN 55150 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Eden Prairie, MN 55347 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Hopkins, MN 55343 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Minneapolis, MN?
- For ZIP code 55420, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Minneapolis/St Paul Ap, 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 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55420?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.