Frost dates for 56244Hancock, MN
The average last spring frost in Hancock is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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) | May 1 · May 13 · May 28 | Sep 9 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 17 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hancock
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56244 is matched to the NOAA station Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach, MN, 11.7 km away, at 1,140 ft elevation (21 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach, MN (used) | 1,140 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
| Benson, MN | 1,030 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Artichoke Lake 1 E, MN | 1,098 ft | May 1 | Oct 8 |
| Glenwood 2Wnw, MN | 1,198 ft | May 11 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Hancock
- Morris, MN 56267 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Clontarf, MN 56226 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Cyrus, MN 56323 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Alberta, MN 56207 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Starbuck, MN 56381 · last May 11, first Sep 27
- Danvers, MN 56231 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Holloway, MN 56249 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Benson, MN 56215 · last May 4, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hancock, MN?
- For ZIP code 56244, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Hancock, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56244?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.