Frost dates for 56345Little Falls, MN
The average last spring frost in Little Falls is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 151 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 151 days
Safer after May 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (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) | May 2 · May 17 · Jun 3 | Sep 11 · Sep 26 · Oct 9 | 130 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 22 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 151 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 16 · Oct 31 | 173 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Little Falls
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 15 |
| 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 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 15 |
| 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 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56345 is matched to the NOAA station Little Falls 2Nne, MN, 2.8 km away, at 1,120 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Falls 2Nne, MN (used) | 1,120 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
| Rice, MN | 1,060 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| Long Prairie, MN | 1,340 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
| Brainerd, MN | 1,180 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Little Falls
- Flensburg, MN 56328 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Randall, MN 56475 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Royalton, MN 56373 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Bowlus, MN 56314 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Swanville, MN 56382 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Pierz, MN 56364 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Buckman, MN 56317 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Lastrup, MN 56344 · last May 4, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Little Falls, MN?
- For ZIP code 56345, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Little Falls 2Nne, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 22.
- When is the first frost in Little Falls, 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 56345?
- 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.