Frost dates for 55950Lansing, MN
The average last spring frost in Lansing is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 26 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 18 · May 1 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 180 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lansing
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55950 is matched to the NOAA station Austin Waste Wtp Facility, MN, 10.1 km away, at 1,199 ft elevation (31 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Waste Wtp Facility, MN (used) | 1,199 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Albert Lea 3Se, MN | 1,230 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 9 |
| Grand Meadow, MN | 1,350 ft | May 6 | Oct 1 |
| Northwood, IA | 1,190 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Lansing
- Brownsdale, MN 55918 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Austin, MN 55912 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Waltham, MN 55982 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Sargeant, MN 55973 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Hollandale, MN 56045 · last Apr 27, first Oct 9
- Rose Creek, MN 55970 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Dexter, MN 55926 · last May 6, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lansing, MN?
- For ZIP code 55950, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Austin Waste Wtp Facility, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Lansing, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55950?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.