Frost dates for 55947La Crescent, MN
The average last spring frost in La Crescent is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (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 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 6 | Oct 3 · Oct 17 · Nov 1 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for La Crescent
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 27 |
| 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 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 27 |
| 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 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55947 is matched to the NOAA station La Crosse Muni Ap, WI, 8 km away, at 652 ft elevation (240 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse Muni Ap, WI (used) | 652 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 17 |
| La Crescent Dam 7, MN | 647 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
| La Crosse Wfo, WI | 1,307 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 13 |
| Trempealeau Dam 6, WI | 660 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near La Crescent
- La Crosse, WI 54603 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Hokah, MN 55941 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Onalaska, WI 54650 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Dakota, MN 55925 · last Apr 29, first Oct 11
- Holmen, WI 54636 · last Apr 23, first Oct 17
- Brownsville, MN 55919 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Stoddard, WI 54658 · last Apr 27, first Oct 13
- Houston, MN 55943 · last May 8, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in La Crescent, MN?
- For ZIP code 55947, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the La Crosse Muni Ap, WI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in La Crescent, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55947?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 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.