Frost dates for 56087Springfield, MN
The average last spring frost in Springfield is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 12 · May 25 | Sep 10 · Sep 22 · Oct 7 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 15 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 17 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Sep 25 · Oct 12 · Oct 27 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Springfield
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56087 is matched to the NOAA station Springfield 1 Nw, MN, 1.7 km away, at 1,066 ft elevation (46 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield 1 Nw, MN (used) | 1,066 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
| Lamberton Sw Rsch & Outreach C, MN | 1,140 ft | May 3 | Oct 2 |
| Redwood Falls Muni Ap, MN | 1,021 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 4 |
| Redwood Falls, MN | 1,020 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
Frost dates near Springfield
- Sanborn, MN 56083 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Comfrey, MN 56019 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Morgan, MN 56266 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Clements, MN 56224 · last Apr 30, first Oct 4
- Wanda, MN 56294 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Sleepy Eye, MN 56085 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Jeffers, MN 56145 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Darfur, MN 56022 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Springfield, MN?
- For ZIP code 56087, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Springfield 1 Nw, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Springfield, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56087?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.