Frost dates for 56626Bena, MN
The average last spring frost in Bena is May 8 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 144 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 8
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 144 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 193 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 6 · May 21 · Jun 4 | Sep 6 · Sep 22 · Oct 4 | 123 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 28 · May 8 · May 23 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 17 | 144 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 29 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bena
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 7 – Jun 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jul 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Jun 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – May 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 8 – Jun 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56626 is matched to the NOAA station Leech Lake, MN, 11.4 km away, at 1,302 ft elevation (7 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leech Lake, MN (used) | 1,302 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
| Cass Lake, MN | 1,296 ft | May 17 | Sep 26 |
| Walker, MN | 1,430 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Blackduck, MN | 1,340 ft | May 24 | Sep 17 |
Frost dates near Bena
- Federal Dam, MN 56641 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Pennington, MN 56663 · last May 17, first Sep 26
- Cass Lake, MN 56633 · last May 17, first Sep 26
- Deer River, MN 56636 · last May 16, first Oct 1
- Max, MN 56659 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Squaw Lake, MN 56681 · last May 24, first Sep 17
- Longville, MN 56655 · last May 5, first Oct 5
- Walker, MN 56484 · last May 4, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bena, MN?
- For ZIP code 56626, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Leech Lake, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Bena, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56626?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 144 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.