Frost dates for 56396Saint Cloud, MN
The average last spring frost in Saint Cloud is May 7 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 202 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 4 · May 18 · Jun 1 | Sep 8 · Sep 22 · Oct 3 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 7 · May 23 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Saint Cloud
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56396 is matched to the NOAA station St Cloud Rgnl Ap, MN, 8.9 km away, at 1,018 ft elevation (22 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Cloud Rgnl Ap, MN (used) | 1,018 ft | May 7 | Sep 30 |
| Collegeville St John'S, MN | 1,210 ft | May 3 | Oct 7 |
| Rice, MN | 1,060 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| Kimball 3N, MN | 1,160 ft | May 2 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Saint Cloud
- Saint Cloud, MN 56302 · last May 7, first Sep 30
- Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 · last May 7, first Sep 30
- Waite Park, MN 56388 · last May 7, first Sep 30
- Sartell, MN 56377 · last May 7, first Sep 30
- Saint Joseph, MN 56374 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Gilman, MN 56333 · last May 7, first Sep 30
- Rockville, MN 56369 · last May 3, first Oct 7
- Clear Lake, MN 55319 · last May 7, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Saint Cloud, MN?
- For ZIP code 56396, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the St Cloud Rgnl Ap, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Saint Cloud, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56396?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.