Frost dates for 55717Canyon, MN
The average last spring frost in Canyon is May 27 and the average first fall frost is September 20, giving a typical growing season of about 115 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 27
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 20
- Growing season
- 115 days
Safer after Jun 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 205 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) | — | — | 88 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 9 · May 27 · Jun 11 | Sep 4 · Sep 20 · Oct 3 | 115 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 31 | Sep 16 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 139 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Canyon
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 26 – Jul 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jun 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – May 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jul 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55717 is matched to the NOAA station Cotton, MN, 10 km away, at 1,323 ft elevation (35 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton, MN (used) | 1,323 ft | May 27 | Sep 20 |
| Island Lake 4E, MN | 1,410 ft | May 21 | Sep 27 |
| Duluth Nws, MN | 1,433 ft | May 18 | Oct 1 |
| Duluth, MN | 1,428 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Canyon
- Cotton, MN 55724 · last May 27, first Sep 20
- Alborn, MN 55702 · last May 29, first Sep 18
- Melrude, MN 55766 · last May 27, first Sep 20
- Twig, MN 55791 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Saginaw, MN 55779 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Meadowlands, MN 55765 · last May 29, first Sep 18
- Forbes, MN 55738 · last Jun 5, first Sep 8
- Brookston, MN 55711 · last May 26, first Sep 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Canyon, MN?
- For ZIP code 55717, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cotton, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 11.
- When is the first frost in Canyon, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55717?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 115 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.