Frost dates for 55988Stockton, MN
The average last spring frost in Stockton is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 7 (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 18 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 6 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 4 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 11 · Apr 27 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stockton
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 – Jul 1 |
| 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 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 1 |
| 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 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 55988 is matched to the NOAA station Winona Dam 5 A, MN, 10.6 km away, at 663 ft elevation (95 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winona Dam 5 A, MN (used) | 663 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 21 |
| Winona, MN | 652 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Minnesota City Dam 5, MN | 670 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| Dodge, WI | 685 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Stockton
- Winona, MN 55987 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Minnesota City, MN 55959 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Homer, MN 55942 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Rollingstone, MN 55969 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Lewiston, MN 55952 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Fountain City, WI 54629 · last Apr 23, first Oct 21
- Utica, MN 55979 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Altura, MN 55910 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stockton, MN?
- For ZIP code 55988, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winona Dam 5 A, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Stockton, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 55988?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.