Frost Dates for Brainerd, MN 56401
Last spring frost May 13 · First fall frost September 23 · 133 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 56401 has about 31,800 people.
Moderate season: 133 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 29–May 27 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 9–October 7 (28 days).
Frost probability for 56401
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 27 | May 13 | April 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 9 | September 23 | October 7 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BRAINERD (7.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 133-day season in Brainerd
In Brainerd (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | 91 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 91 available after May 27. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 1 | May 27–Jun 3 | 91 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 91 available after May 27. | May 29 |
| Lettuce | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 22. | Jul 22 |
| Cucumber | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 27. | Jun 27 |
| Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 20. | Jul 4 |
| Peas | — | Mar 18–May 27 | 196 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Mar 18. | Jul 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 27. | Jul 2 |
| Onion | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 18–May 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Kale | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 15. | Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 15. | Jul 22 |
| Radish | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 23 | 238 | overwinter: Plant Sep 23 to Oct 14; harvest the following summer. | Oct 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 8–Jun 3 | 189 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 8; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 105 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 20. | Jun 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 29 | May 27–May 27 | 98 | head-start: Even planted out May 27, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 1 | May 6–May 20 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 6. | Jul 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 18 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 15. | Jun 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 98 | head-start: Even planted out May 27, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 91 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 91 available after May 27. | Jun 3 |
| Okra | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jul 2 |
| Basil | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 98 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 3. | Jun 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 15–May 6 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Parsley | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 20. | Jul 8 |
| Celery | Mar 4 | May 20–Jun 3 | 133 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 133 available after May 20. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Collards | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 91 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 27. | — |
| Chives | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 18–Jun 10 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Oregano | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 18 | May 20–May 27 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 20. | — |
| Sage | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 20. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 4 | May 20–May 27 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 20. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Cosmos | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 27 |
| Lavender | Feb 18 | May 13–May 27 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 1 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 9. | Jul 7 |
| Melons | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 91 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 27. | — |
| Mint | — | May 13–May 27 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jul 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 112 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 112 available after May 20. | Jun 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 98 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 98 available after May 27. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 13–May 27 | 119 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 17 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 98 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 20. | May 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 29 | May 20–May 27 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after May 20. | May 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 29 | May 27–Jun 3 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 27. | Jul 2 |
| Zinnias | Apr 15 | May 13–May 27 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 27 |
Month by month in Brainerd
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 18), Lavender (Feb 18), Onion (Feb 18), Rosemary (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Oregano (Mar 4), Parsley (Mar 4), Scallions (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 18), Beets (Mar 18), Dill (Mar 18), Peas (Mar 18), Radish (Mar 18), Spinach (Mar 18). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Pepper (Apr 1), Basil (Apr 8), Tomato (Apr 8), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 1), Cilantro (Apr 15), Turnip (Apr 15), Carrots (Apr 22), Potatoes (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 15), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 15), Cabbage (Apr 15), Collards (Apr 15), Kale (Apr 15), Lettuce (Apr 15), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 8). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 13), Beans (May 20), Pole Beans (May 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 6), Cauliflower (May 6), Cosmos (May 13), Lavender (May 13), Marigolds (May 13), Mint (May 13), +24 more. Last frost around May 13. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 24), Pepper (May 29), Tomatillos (May 29). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 3). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 3), Corn (Jun 5), Sunflowers (Jun 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 22), Pole Beans (Jun 22), Basil (Jun 27), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 2), Okra (Jul 2), Yellow Squash (Jul 2), Zucchini (Jul 2), Cauliflower (Jul 3), Beans (Jul 4), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 1), Scallions (Aug 1), Bok Choy (Aug 2), Lettuce (Aug 2), Kale (Aug 6), Kohlrabi (Aug 6), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 23). First frost around September 23. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 14). |
| November | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Brainerd, MN (ZIP 56401)?
The median last spring frost date for Brainerd, MN (ZIP code 56401) is around May 13. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 29; one in ten it runs past May 27.
What is the first fall frost date in Brainerd, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Brainerd, MN is around September 23. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 9 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Brainerd, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Brainerd is about 133 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Brainerd (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Brainerd, MN?
Brainerd, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Brainerd, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 8 and plant out May 27 in Brainerd. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Brainerd?
Two: plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30.
When do I plant garlic in Brainerd?
Sep 23 to Oct 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Brainerd?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 27, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Little Falls (ZIP 56345) has 140 frost-free days, 7 more than Brainerd (ZIP 56401). See Little Falls ZIP 56345 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Little Falls, MN 56345 (25 mi)
- Frost dates for Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (47.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Sartell, MN 56377 (47.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Saint Joseph, MN 56374 (50.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Princeton, MN 55371 (57.2 mi)
- When to plant in MN
- When to plant Peppers in MN
- When to plant Cucumbers in MN
- When to plant Zucchini in MN
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MN
- When to plant Basil in MN
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MN
- Look up another ZIP