Frost dates for 56627Big Falls, MN
The average last spring frost in Big Falls is May 24 and the average first fall frost is September 20, giving a typical growing season of about 117 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 24
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 20
- Growing season
- 117 days
Safer after Jun 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 209 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 22 · Jun 4 · Jun 27 | Aug 25 · Sep 9 · Sep 22 | 95 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 6 · May 24 · Jun 6 | Sep 6 · Sep 20 · Oct 3 | 117 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 27 · May 10 · May 28 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 16 | 142 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Big Falls
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 23 – Jun 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jun 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – May 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 16 – Jul 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Aug 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – May 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56627 is matched to the NOAA station Big Falls, MN, 6.9 km away, at 1,220 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Falls, MN (used) | 1,220 ft | May 24 | Sep 20 |
| Littlefork 10 Sw, MN | 1,200 ft | May 23 | Sep 21 |
| Intl Falls Intl Ap, MN | 1,183 ft | May 29 | Sep 13 |
| Waskish 4Ne, MN | 1,191 ft | May 22 | Sep 17 |
Frost dates near Big Falls
- Margie, MN 56658 · last May 24, first Sep 20
- Kabetogama, MN 56669 · last May 24, first Sep 20
- Littlefork, MN 56653 · last May 23, first Sep 21
- Effie, MN 56639 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Mizpah, MN 56660 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Loman, MN 56654 · last May 23, first Sep 21
- Bigfork, MN 56628 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Nett Lake, MN 55772 · last May 28, first Sep 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Big Falls, MN?
- For ZIP code 56627, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Big Falls, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 6.
- When is the first frost in Big Falls, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56627?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 117 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.