Frost Dates for Buffalo, MN 55313
Last spring frost May 14 · First fall frost September 23 · 132 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 55313 has about 24,900 people.
Moderate season: 132 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 26–May 28 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 12–October 3 (21 days).
Frost probability for 55313
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 28 | May 14 | April 26 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 12 | September 23 | October 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST CLOUD RGNL AP (44.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 132-day season in Buffalo
In Buffalo (132 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 9 | May 28–Jun 4 | 90 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 90 available after May 28. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 2 | May 28–Jun 4 | 90 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 90 available after May 28. | May 29 |
| Lettuce | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 23. | Jul 22 |
| Cucumber | Apr 23 | May 28–Jun 4 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 28. | Jun 27 |
| Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 21. | Jul 4 |
| Peas | — | Mar 19–May 28 | 195 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 19. | Jul 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 28. | Jul 2 |
| Onion | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 167 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 19–May 7 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Kale | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 16. | Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16. | Jul 22 |
| Radish | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 30–May 7 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 23 | 237 | overwinter: Plant Sep 23 to Oct 14; harvest the following summer. | Oct 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 9–Jun 4 | 188 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 21. | Jun 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 30 | May 28–May 28 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 2 | May 7–May 21 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 7. | Jul 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 19 | Apr 30–Apr 30 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16. | Jun 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | head-start: Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 26 | May 28–Jun 4 | 90 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 90 available after May 28. | Jun 3 |
| Okra | Apr 16 | May 21–May 28 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 21. | Jul 2 |
| Basil | Apr 9 | Jun 4–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 97 available after Jun 4. | Jun 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 16–May 7 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Parsley | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 132 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 132 available after May 21. | Jul 8 |
| Celery | Mar 5 | May 21–Jun 4 | 132 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 132 available after May 21. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Collards | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 28. | — |
| Chives | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 19–Jun 11 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Oregano | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after May 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 19 | May 21–May 28 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after May 21. | — |
| Sage | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after May 21. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 5 | May 21–May 28 | 146 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 146 available after May 21. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Cosmos | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 14. | Jun 27 |
| Lavender | Feb 19 | May 14–May 28 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 2 | May 14–May 21 | 118 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 9. | Jul 7 |
| Melons | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 90 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 90 available after May 28. | — |
| Mint | — | May 14–May 28 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 14. | Jul 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 21–Jun 4 | 111 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 111 available after May 21. | Jun 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 97 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 97 available after May 28. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 14–May 28 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 14. | Jun 17 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 19 | May 21–May 28 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 21. | May 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 30 | May 21–May 28 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 21. | May 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 30 | May 28–Jun 4 | 104 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 104 available after May 28. | Jul 2 |
| Zinnias | Apr 16 | May 14–May 28 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 14. | Jun 27 |
Month by month in Buffalo
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 19), Lavender (Feb 19), Onion (Feb 19), Rosemary (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 5), Collards (Mar 5), Kale (Mar 5), Oregano (Mar 5), Parsley (Mar 5), Scallions (Mar 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 19), Beets (Mar 19), Dill (Mar 19), Peas (Mar 19), Radish (Mar 19), Spinach (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 2), Cauliflower (Apr 2), Marigolds (Apr 2), Pepper (Apr 2), Basil (Apr 9), Tomato (Apr 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 2), Cilantro (Apr 16), Turnip (Apr 16), Carrots (Apr 23), Potatoes (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 16), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 16), Cabbage (Apr 16), Collards (Apr 16), Kale (Apr 16), Lettuce (Apr 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 9). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 14), Beans (May 21), Pole Beans (May 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 7), Cauliflower (May 7), Cosmos (May 14), Lavender (May 14), Marigolds (May 14), Mint (May 14), +24 more. Last frost around May 14. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 24), Pepper (May 29), Tomatillos (May 29). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 4). 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 Buffalo, MN (ZIP 55313)?
The median last spring frost date for Buffalo, MN (ZIP code 55313) is around May 14. 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 26; one in ten it runs past May 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Buffalo, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Buffalo, 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Buffalo, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Buffalo is about 132 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 Buffalo (132 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 Buffalo, MN?
Buffalo, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (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 Buffalo, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 9 and plant out May 28 in Buffalo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Buffalo?
Two: plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30.
When do I plant garlic in Buffalo?
Sep 23 to Oct 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Buffalo?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 28, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Saint Michael (ZIP 55376) has 139 frost-free days, 7 more than Buffalo (ZIP 55313). See Saint Michael ZIP 55376 frost dates
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