Frost dates for 56073New Ulm, MN
The average last spring frost in New Ulm is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 25 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 16 · Sep 28 · Oct 12 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 15 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 23 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 2 | Oct 4 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for New Ulm
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56073 is matched to the NOAA station New Ulm 2 Se, MN, 2.1 km away, at 890 ft elevation (24 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Ulm 2 Se, MN (used) | 890 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 7 |
| New Ulm 3Se, MN | 925 ft | May 2 | Oct 7 |
| Gaylord, MN | 1,020 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| St James Wwtp, MN | 1,070 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near New Ulm
- Searles, MN 56084 · last Apr 29, first Oct 7
- Courtland, MN 56021 · last Apr 29, first Oct 7
- Essig, MN 56030 · last Apr 29, first Oct 7
- Lafayette, MN 56054 · last Apr 29, first Oct 7
- Hanska, MN 56041 · last Apr 29, first Oct 7
- Sleepy Eye, MN 56085 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Nicollet, MN 56074 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- La Salle, MN 56056 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Ulm, MN?
- For ZIP code 56073, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New Ulm 2 Se, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in New Ulm, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. 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 56073?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.