Frost dates for 56481Verndale, MN
The average last spring frost in Verndale is May 10 and the average first fall frost is September 30, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 7 · May 20 · Jun 2 | Sep 9 · Sep 21 · Oct 3 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 17 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 18 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 25 | 161 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Verndale
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56481 is matched to the NOAA station Wadena 3 S, MN, 18.7 km away, at 1,372 ft elevation (79 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wadena 3 S, MN (used) | 1,372 ft | May 10 | Sep 30 |
| New York Mills, MN | 1,406 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| Park Rapids Muni Ap, MN | 1,434 ft | May 14 | Sep 25 |
| Ottertail, MN | 1,349 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Verndale
- Aldrich, MN 56434 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Wadena, MN 56482 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Sebeka, MN 56477 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Bluffton, MN 56518 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Hewitt, MN 56453 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Staples, MN 56479 · last May 2, first Oct 6
- Bertha, MN 56437 · last May 10, first Sep 30
- Menahga, MN 56464 · last May 14, first Sep 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Verndale, MN?
- For ZIP code 56481, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wadena 3 S, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Verndale, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56481?
- 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.