Frost dates for 56288Spicer, MN
The average last spring frost in Spicer is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (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 13 · May 29 | Sep 17 · Sep 27 · Oct 8 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 23 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 9 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spicer
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 14 |
| 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 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 14 |
| 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 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56288 is matched to the NOAA station New London, MN, 9.3 km away, at 1,250 ft elevation (59 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| New London, MN (used) | 1,250 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| Willmar 5N, MN | 1,190 ft | May 1 | Oct 6 |
| Willmar Wwtp, MN | 1,100 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 7 |
| Litchfield, MN | 1,120 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Spicer
- New London, MN 56273 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Kandiyohi, MN 56251 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Willmar, MN 56201 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Atwater, MN 56209 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Grove City, MN 56243 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Pennock, MN 56279 · last Apr 30, first Oct 7
- Paynesville, MN 56362 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Eden Valley, MN 55329 · last May 6, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spicer, MN?
- For ZIP code 56288, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the New London, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Spicer, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. 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 56288?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.