Frost dates for 56470Park Rapids, MN
The average last spring frost in Park Rapids is May 14 and the average first fall frost is September 25, giving a typical growing season of about 133 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 25
- Growing season
- 133 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 11 · May 25 · Jun 7 | Sep 1 · Sep 16 · Sep 28 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 14 · May 27 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 8 | 133 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 23 · May 4 · May 17 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 19 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Park Rapids
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Aug 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 15 – Oct 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56470 is matched to the NOAA station Park Rapids Muni Ap, MN, 4.7 km away, at 1,434 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park Rapids Muni Ap, MN (used) | 1,434 ft | May 14 | Sep 25 |
| Itasca Univ Of Minn, MN | 1,490 ft | May 18 | Sep 27 |
| Walker, MN | 1,430 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Detroit Lakes 12E, MN | 1,542 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Park Rapids
- Nevis, MN 56467 · last May 14, first Sep 25
- Osage, MN 56570 · last May 14, first Sep 25
- Menahga, MN 56464 · last May 14, first Sep 25
- Ponsford, MN 56575 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Akeley, MN 56433 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Wolf Lake, MN 56593 · last May 14, first Sep 25
- Lake George, MN 56458 · last May 18, first Sep 27
- Sebeka, MN 56477 · last May 10, first Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Park Rapids, MN?
- For ZIP code 56470, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Park Rapids Muni Ap, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Park Rapids, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56470?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 133 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.