Frost dates for 56091Waldorf, MN
The average last spring frost in Waldorf is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (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 28 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 17 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Sep 28 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waldorf
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 56091 is matched to the NOAA station Waseca S Rsch & Outreach Ctr, MN, 20.4 km away, at 1,153 ft elevation (87 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waseca S Rsch & Outreach Ctr, MN (used) | 1,153 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Wells, MN | 1,135 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 6 |
| Mankato, MN | 850 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| Amboy, MN | 1,030 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Waldorf
- Pemberton, MN 56078 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Minnesota Lake, MN 56068 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- New Richland, MN 56072 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Janesville, MN 56048 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Saint Clair, MN 56080 · last Apr 30, first Oct 9
- Mapleton, MN 56065 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Wells, MN 56097 · last Apr 30, first Oct 6
- Waseca, MN 56093 · last May 2, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waldorf, MN?
- For ZIP code 56091, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Waseca S Rsch & Outreach Ctr, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Waldorf, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56091?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.