Frost dates for 56456Jenkins, MN
The average last spring frost in Jenkins is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 16 · May 29 | Sep 15 · Sep 27 · Oct 9 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 29 · May 9 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jenkins
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56456 is matched to the NOAA station Pine Rvr Dam, MN, 17.4 km away, at 1,250 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine Rvr Dam, MN (used) | 1,250 ft | May 6 | Oct 7 |
| Gull Lake Dam, MN | 1,215 ft | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| Deep Portage, MN | 1,471 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Brainerd Crow Wing Co Ap, MN | 1,221 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Jenkins
- Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Pine River, MN 56474 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Nisswa, MN 56468 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Crosslake, MN 56442 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Lake Hubert, MN 56459 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Merrifield, MN 56465 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Fifty Lakes, MN 56448 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Backus, MN 56435 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jenkins, MN?
- For ZIP code 56456, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pine Rvr Dam, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Jenkins, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56456?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.