Frost dates for 56256Madison, MN
The average last spring frost in Madison is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 12 · May 25 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 15 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Sep 29 · Oct 12 · Oct 26 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Madison
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56256 is matched to the NOAA station Madison Wwtp, MN, 0.9 km away, at 1,075 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Wwtp, MN (used) | 1,075 ft | May 3 | Oct 2 |
| Milan 1Nw, MN | 1,020 ft | May 3 | Oct 2 |
| Canby, MN | 1,210 ft | May 2 | Oct 5 |
| Montevideo 1Sw, MN | 990 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Madison
- Dawson, MN 56232 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Marietta, MN 56257 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Bellingham, MN 56212 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Boyd, MN 56218 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Watson, MN 56295 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Milan, MN 56262 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Appleton, MN 56208 · last May 3, first Oct 2
- Canby, MN 56220 · last May 2, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Madison, MN?
- For ZIP code 56256, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Madison Wwtp, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Madison, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. 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 56256?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 151 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.