Frost dates for 56636Deer River, MN
The average last spring frost in Deer River is May 16 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after May 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 201 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 15 · May 27 · Jun 9 | Sep 6 · Sep 22 · Oct 3 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 16 · May 31 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 21 · May 3 · May 19 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 25 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Deer River
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 15 – Jun 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 2 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 15 – Jul 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jul 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – Jun 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – May 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 16 – Jul 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56636 is matched to the NOAA station Pokegama Dam, MN, 24.7 km away, at 1,280 ft elevation (55 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokegama Dam, MN (used) | 1,280 ft | May 16 | Oct 1 |
| Grand Rpds Forest Lab, MN | 1,310 ft | May 17 | Sep 24 |
| Marcell 5Ne, MN | 1,387 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| Leech Lake, MN | 1,302 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Deer River
- Bowstring, MN 56631 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Cohasset, MN 55721 · last May 16, first Oct 1
- Talmoon, MN 56637 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Marcell, MN 56657 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Spring Lake, MN 56680 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Grand Rapids, MN 55730 · last May 17, first Sep 24
- Bena, MN 56626 · last May 8, first Oct 1
- Max, MN 56659 · last May 14, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Deer River, MN?
- For ZIP code 56636, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pokegama Dam, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 31.
- When is the first frost in Deer River, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56636?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.