Frost dates for 55786Taconite, MN
The average last spring frost in Taconite is May 17 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 130 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 17
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 130 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 16 · May 29 · Jun 13 | Aug 30 · Sep 15 · Sep 27 | 107 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 17 · May 31 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 7 | 130 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 20 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 152 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Taconite
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 16 – Jun 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jul 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – May 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55786 is matched to the NOAA station Grand Rpds Forest Lab, MN, 11.4 km away, at 1,310 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rpds Forest Lab, MN (used) | 1,310 ft | May 17 | Sep 24 |
| Pokegama Dam, MN | 1,280 ft | May 16 | Oct 1 |
| Marcell 5Ne, MN | 1,387 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| Hibbing Chisholm Hibbing Ap, MN | 1,352 ft | Jun 5 | Sep 8 |
Frost dates near Taconite
- Bovey, MN 55709 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Coleraine, MN 55722 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Marble, MN 55764 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Calumet, MN 55716 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Grand Rapids, MN 55744 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Pengilly, MN 55775 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Nashwauk, MN 55769 · last Jun 5, first Sep 8
- Cohasset, MN 55721 · last May 16, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Taconite, MN?
- For ZIP code 55786, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grand Rpds Forest Lab, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Taconite, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 10, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55786?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 130 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.