Frost dates for 56115Balaton, MN
The average last spring frost in Balaton is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (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 11 · May 26 | Sep 14 · Sep 27 · Oct 10 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 20 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Balaton
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 15 |
| 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 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 15 |
| 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 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56115 is matched to the NOAA station Tracy, MN, 20.2 km away, at 1,403 ft elevation (169 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy, MN (used) | 1,403 ft | May 2 | Oct 5 |
| Lake Wilson, MN | 1,653 ft | May 7 | Sep 29 |
| Marshall, MN | 1,149 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Pipestone, MN | 1,705 ft | May 4 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Balaton
- Garvin, MN 56132 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Russell, MN 56169 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Ruthton, MN 56170 · last May 7, first Sep 29
- Lynd, MN 56157 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Tyler, MN 56178 · last May 4, first Oct 2
- Currie, MN 56123 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Tracy, MN 56175 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Lake Wilson, MN 56151 · last May 7, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Balaton, MN?
- For ZIP code 56115, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tracy, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Balaton, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. 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 56115?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.