Frost dates for 56355Nelson, MN
The average last spring frost in Nelson is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 159 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 159 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 11 · May 27 | Sep 18 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 27 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 159 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nelson
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56355 is matched to the NOAA station Alexandria Muni Ap, MN, 14.1 km away, at 1,416 ft elevation (58 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria Muni Ap, MN (used) | 1,416 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| Long Prairie, MN | 1,340 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
| Glenwood 2Wnw, MN | 1,198 ft | May 11 | Sep 27 |
| Melrose, MN | 1,195 ft | May 4 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Nelson
- Carlos, MN 56319 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Osakis, MN 56360 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Alexandria, MN 56308 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Miltona, MN 56354 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- West Union, MN 56389 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Garfield, MN 56332 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Eagle Bend, MN 56446 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Villard, MN 56385 · last May 11, first Sep 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nelson, MN?
- For ZIP code 56355, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alexandria Muni Ap, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Nelson, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56355?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 159 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.