Frost dates for 56449Fort Ripley, MN
The average last spring frost in Fort Ripley is May 8 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 1 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 11 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 23 | 161 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fort Ripley
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 9 |
| 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 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 9 |
| 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) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56449 is matched to the NOAA station Brainerd, MN, 15.2 km away, at 1,180 ft elevation (14 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brainerd, MN (used) | 1,180 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Brainerd Crow Wing Co Ap, MN | 1,221 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
| Gull Lake Dam, MN | 1,215 ft | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| Little Falls 2Nne, MN | 1,120 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Fort Ripley
- Baxter, MN 56425 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Brainerd, MN 56401 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Lastrup, MN 56344 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Randall, MN 56475 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Pillager, MN 56473 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Motley, MN 56466 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Pierz, MN 56364 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Little Falls, MN 56345 · last May 4, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fort Ripley, MN?
- For ZIP code 56449, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brainerd, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Fort Ripley, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. 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 56449?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 141 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.