Frost dates for 56222Clara City, MN
The average last spring frost in Clara City is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 27 · May 9 · May 23 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 142 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 2 | Oct 2 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clara City
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 56222 is matched to the NOAA station Willmar Wwtp, MN, 29.4 km away, at 1,100 ft elevation (40 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willmar Wwtp, MN (used) | 1,100 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
| Granite Falls, MN | 930 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
| Montevideo 1Sw, MN | 990 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
| Willmar 5N, MN | 1,190 ft | May 1 | Oct 6 |
Frost dates near Clara City
- Maynard, MN 56260 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Raymond, MN 56282 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Prinsburg, MN 56281 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Sacred Heart, MN 56285 · last May 6, first Oct 1
- Blomkest, MN 56216 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Pennock, MN 56279 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Granite Falls, MN 56241 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Renville, MN 56284 · last May 6, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clara City, MN?
- For ZIP code 56222, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Willmar Wwtp, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Clara City, 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 56222?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.