Frost dates for 55473Minneapolis, 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 55473 is matched to the NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, 1.3 km away, at 754 ft elevation (76 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 |
| New Hope, MN | 910 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 12 |
| St Paul 3Sw, MN | 925 ft | Apr 25 | 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 55473, 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 55473?
- 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.