Frost dates for 56175Tracy, MN
The average last spring frost in Tracy 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 Tracy
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 56175 is matched to the NOAA station Tracy, MN, 1 km away, at 1,403 ft elevation (12 ft higher 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 |
| Lamberton Sw Rsch & Outreach C, MN | 1,140 ft | May 3 | Oct 2 |
| Marshall, MN | 1,149 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Lake Wilson, MN | 1,653 ft | May 7 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Tracy
- Walnut Grove, MN 56180 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Garvin, MN 56132 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Currie, MN 56123 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Dovray, MN 56125 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Balaton, MN 56115 · last May 2, first Oct 5
- Revere, MN 56166 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Milroy, MN 56263 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Westbrook, MN 56183 · last May 2, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tracy, MN?
- For ZIP code 56175, 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 Tracy, 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 56175?
- 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.