Frost dates for 56353Milaca, MN
The average last spring frost in Milaca is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 143 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 143 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 5 · May 20 · Jun 3 | Sep 9 · Sep 22 · Oct 5 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 25 · May 8 · May 26 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 143 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 163 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milaca
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56353 is matched to the NOAA station Milaca, MN, 3.2 km away, at 1,064 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milaca, MN (used) | 1,064 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Santiago 3 E, MN | 1,010 ft | May 7 | Sep 28 |
| Mora, MN | 1,018 ft | May 9 | Sep 30 |
| Cambridge, MN | 965 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Milaca
- Bock, MN 56313 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Pease, MN 56363 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Foreston, MN 56330 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Oak Park, MN 56357 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Ogilvie, MN 56358 · last May 9, first Sep 30
- Dalbo, MN 55017 · last May 2, first Oct 4
- Princeton, MN 55371 · last May 7, first Sep 28
- Foley, MN 56329 · last May 8, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milaca, MN?
- For ZIP code 56353, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Milaca, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Milaca, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56353?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 143 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.