Frost dates for 56502Detroit Lakes, MN
The average last spring frost in Detroit Lakes is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 130 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 130 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 12 · May 26 · Jun 7 | Aug 28 · Sep 13 · Sep 27 | 109 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 15 · May 30 | Sep 9 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 130 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 18 · Oct 3 · Oct 18 | 150 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Detroit Lakes
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56502 is matched to the NOAA station Detroit Lakes 1 Nne, MN, 2.3 km away, at 1,355 ft elevation (16 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lakes 1 Nne, MN (used) | 1,355 ft | May 15 | Sep 24 |
| Detroit Lakes 12E, MN | 1,542 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Tamarac Wildlife Re, MN | 1,508 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| New York Mills, MN | 1,406 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Detroit Lakes
- Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Rochert, MN 56578 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Audubon, MN 56511 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Vergas, MN 56587 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Lake Park, MN 56554 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Richwood, MN 56577 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Callaway, MN 56521 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Frazee, MN 56544 · last May 15, first Sep 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Detroit Lakes, MN?
- For ZIP code 56502, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Detroit Lakes 1 Nne, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Detroit Lakes, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56502?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 130 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.