Frost dates for 56090Vernon Center, MN
The average last spring frost in Vernon Center is April 30 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 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 8 · May 21 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 22 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 182 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Vernon Center
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56090 is matched to the NOAA station Amboy, MN, 10.4 km away, at 1,030 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amboy, MN (used) | 1,030 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
| Winnebago, MN | 1,110 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| Mankato, MN | 850 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| St James Wwtp, MN | 1,070 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Vernon Center
- Garden City, MN 56034 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Amboy, MN 56010 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Good Thunder, MN 56037 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Lake Crystal, MN 56055 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Madelia, MN 56062 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Lewisville, MN 56060 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Mapleton, MN 56065 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Winnebago, MN 56098 · last Apr 27, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Vernon Center, MN?
- For ZIP code 56090, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Amboy, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Vernon Center, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56090?
- 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.