Frost dates for 56484Walker, MN
The average last spring frost in Walker is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 7, giving a typical growing season of about 155 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 7
- Growing season
- 155 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 14 · May 30 | Sep 13 · Sep 28 · Oct 10 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 20 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 155 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 25 · May 8 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Nov 1 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Walker
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 28 – Jun 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 27 – Oct 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56484 is matched to the NOAA station Walker, MN, 1 km away, at 1,430 ft elevation (98 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker, MN (used) | 1,430 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Deep Portage, MN | 1,471 ft | May 5 | Oct 5 |
| Leech Lake, MN | 1,302 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Cass Lake, MN | 1,296 ft | May 17 | Sep 26 |
Frost dates near Walker
- Ah Gwah Ching, MN 56430 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Benedict, MN 56436 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Hackensack, MN 56452 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Akeley, MN 56433 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Laporte, MN 56461 · last May 17, first Sep 26
- Nevis, MN 56467 · last May 14, first Sep 25
- Federal Dam, MN 56641 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Backus, MN 56435 · last May 5, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Walker, MN?
- For ZIP code 56484, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Walker, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Walker, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56484?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 155 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.