Frost dates for 55615Tofte, MN
The average last spring frost in Tofte is May 22 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 136 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 136 days
Safer after Jun 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 207 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) | May 17 · Jun 3 · Jun 30 | Sep 14 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 22 · Jun 18 | Sep 25 · Oct 9 · Oct 25 | 136 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 19 · May 4 · Jun 8 | Oct 6 · Oct 24 · Nov 8 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tofte
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 | Apr 21 – Jun 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jul 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – May 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55615 is matched to the NOAA station Grand Marais, MN, 41.6 km away, at 610 ft elevation (20 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Marais, MN (used) | 610 ft | May 22 | Oct 9 |
| Lutsen 3Nne, MN | 1,300 ft | May 26 | Sep 27 |
| Wolf Ridge Elc, MN | 1,400 ft | May 15 | Oct 1 |
| Grand Marais, MN | 612 ft | May 20 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Tofte
- Schroeder, MN 55613 · last May 26, first Sep 27
- Lutsen, MN 55612 · last May 26, first Sep 27
- Finland, MN 55603 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Silver Bay, MN 55614 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Grand Marais, MN 55604 · last May 26, first Sep 27
- Isabella, MN 55607 · last May 31, first Sep 15
- Beaver Bay, MN 55601 · last May 15, first Oct 1
- Hovland, MN 55606 · last May 20, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tofte, MN?
- For ZIP code 55615, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grand Marais, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 18.
- When is the first frost in Tofte, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55615?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 136 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.