Frost dates for 56659Max, MN
The average last spring frost in Max is May 14 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 11 · May 25 · Jun 8 | Sep 8 · Sep 24 · Oct 5 | 120 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 14 · May 30 | Sep 20 · Oct 2 · Oct 16 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 20 | Oct 1 · Oct 14 · Oct 28 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Max
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56659 is matched to the NOAA station Marcell 5Ne, MN, 31.2 km away, at 1,387 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcell 5Ne, MN (used) | 1,387 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| Northome 3S, MN | 1,415 ft | May 16 | Sep 26 |
| Blackduck, MN | 1,340 ft | May 24 | Sep 17 |
| Leech Lake, MN | 1,302 ft | May 8 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Max
- Squaw Lake, MN 56681 · last May 24, first Sep 17
- Spring Lake, MN 56680 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Wirt, MN 56688 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Bowstring, MN 56631 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Talmoon, MN 56637 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Northome, MN 56661 · last May 16, first Sep 26
- Deer River, MN 56636 · last May 16, first Oct 1
- Bena, MN 56626 · last May 8, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Max, MN?
- For ZIP code 56659, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marcell 5Ne, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 30.
- When is the first frost in Max, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56659?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.