Frost dates for 56466Motley, MN
The average last spring frost in Motley is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 1 · May 11 · May 24 | Sep 15 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 6 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 23 · May 4 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Motley
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 16 |
| 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 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 16 |
| 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 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56466 is matched to the NOAA station Gull Lake Dam, MN, 20.8 km away, at 1,215 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gull Lake Dam, MN (used) | 1,215 ft | May 2 | Oct 6 |
| Brainerd, MN | 1,180 ft | May 8 | Sep 29 |
| Brainerd Crow Wing Co Ap, MN | 1,221 ft | May 13 | Sep 27 |
| Little Falls 2Nne, MN | 1,120 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Motley
- Pillager, MN 56473 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Cushing, MN 56443 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Staples, MN 56479 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Baxter, MN 56425 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Randall, MN 56475 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Fort Ripley, MN 56449 · last May 8, first Sep 29
- Browerville, MN 56438 · last May 13, first Sep 27
- Aldrich, MN 56434 · last May 10, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Motley, MN?
- For ZIP code 56466, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gull Lake Dam, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Motley, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56466?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.