Frost dates for 56710Alvarado, MN
The average last spring frost in Alvarado is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 26, giving a typical growing season of about 134 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 26
- Growing season
- 134 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 24 · Jun 5 | Sep 1 · Sep 16 · Sep 27 | 114 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 1 · May 15 · May 28 | Sep 13 · Sep 26 · Oct 8 | 134 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 21 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 153 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Alvarado
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 17 – Jun 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Aug 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 17 – Jul 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 16 – Oct 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 56710 is matched to the NOAA station Argyle, MN, 18.9 km away, at 847 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argyle, MN (used) | 847 ft | May 15 | Sep 26 |
| Warren Wsd, MN | 855 ft | May 5 | Oct 2 |
| Grand Forks Univ (Nws), ND | 830 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Grand Forks Intl Ap, ND | 842 ft | May 16 | Sep 27 |
Frost dates near Alvarado
- Oslo, MN 56744 · last May 15, first Sep 26
- Argyle, MN 56713 · last May 15, first Sep 26
- Warren, MN 56762 · last May 15, first Sep 26
- Manvel, ND 58256 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Minto, ND 58261 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Stephen, MN 56757 · last May 15, first Sep 26
- East Grand Forks, MN 56721 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Grand Forks, ND 58206 · last May 10, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Alvarado, MN?
- For ZIP code 56710, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Argyle, MN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Alvarado, MN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 56710?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 134 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.