Frost dates for 56017Cleveland, MN
The average last spring frost in Cleveland is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 30 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 13 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cleveland
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56017 is matched to the NOAA station St Peter, MN, 10.9 km away, at 795 ft elevation (232 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Peter, MN (used) | 795 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Mankato, MN | 850 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Waseca S Rsch & Outreach Ctr, MN | 1,153 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Jordan 1Ssw, MN | 900 ft | May 2 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Cleveland
- Kasota, MN 56050 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Madison Lake, MN 56063 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Le Center, MN 56057 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Saint Peter, MN 56082 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Elysian, MN 56028 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Le Sueur, MN 56058 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Eagle Lake, MN 56024 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Kilkenny, MN 56052 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cleveland, MN?
- For ZIP code 56017, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St Peter, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Cleveland, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56017?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 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.