Frost dates for 55954Mabel, MN
The average last spring frost in Mabel is May 10 and the average first fall frost is September 28, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 28
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 6 · May 20 · May 31 | Sep 5 · Sep 18 · Oct 1 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mabel
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 19 – Jun 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 19 – Jul 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 18 – Oct 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55954 is matched to the NOAA station Mabel, MN, 2.7 km away, at 1,112 ft elevation (95 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mabel, MN (used) | 1,112 ft | May 10 | Sep 28 |
| Caledonia, MN | 1,166 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 10 |
| Decorah, IA | 860 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Preston, MN | 930 ft | May 14 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Mabel
- Canton, MN 55922 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Highlandville, IA 52149 · last Apr 29, first Oct 10
- Spring Grove, MN 55974 · last Apr 29, first Oct 10
- Harmony, MN 55939 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Decorah, IA 52101 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Dorchester, IA 52140 · last Apr 22, first Oct 17
- Caledonia, MN 55921 · last Apr 29, first Oct 10
- Lanesboro, MN 55949 · last May 14, first Sep 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mabel, MN?
- For ZIP code 55954, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mabel, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Mabel, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55954?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.