Frost dates for 56590Wendell, MN
The average last spring frost in Wendell is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (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) | Apr 30 · May 12 · May 26 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 3 · May 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 27 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wendell
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56590 is matched to the NOAA station White Rock Dam, MN, 41 km away, at 1,024 ft elevation (92 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Rock Dam, MN (used) | 1,024 ft | May 3 | Oct 3 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 1,250 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
| Wheaton, MN | 1,018 ft | May 1 | Oct 9 |
| Breckenridge 3E, MN | 971 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Wendell
- Elbow Lake, MN 56531 · last May 4, first Oct 1
- Nashua, MN 56565 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Norcross, MN 56274 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Tintah, MN 56583 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Dalton, MN 56324 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Ashby, MN 56309 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Fergus Falls, MN 56537 · last May 4, first Oct 5
- Barrett, MN 56311 · last May 4, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wendell, MN?
- For ZIP code 56590, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the White Rock Dam, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Wendell, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56590?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.