Frost Dates for Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Last spring frost May 2 · First fall frost October 5 · 156 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 55016 has about 40,700 people.
Moderate season: 156 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 17 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 18 (27 days).
Frost probability for 55016
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 2 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 5 | October 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HASTINGS DAM 2 (8.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 156-day season in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove (156 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 28 | May 16–May 23 | 114 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 21 | May 16–May 23 | 114 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 198 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 11. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 16. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 7–May 16 | 219 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 7. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 7–Apr 25 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 4. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 261 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 28–May 23 | 212 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 9. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 18 | May 16–May 16 | 121 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 9 | 170 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 25. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 4. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 114 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 4 | May 9–May 16 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Mar 28 | May 23–May 23 | 121 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 23. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 4–Apr 25 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 9. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 21 | May 9–May 23 | 156 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 156 available after May 9. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 114 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 7–May 30 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 7 | May 9–May 16 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 9. | — |
| Sage | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 170 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 9. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 7 | May 2–May 16 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 2. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 21 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 114 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 114 available after May 16. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | May 2–May 16 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 2. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 9–May 23 | 135 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 135 available after May 9. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 121 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 121 available after May 16. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 2–May 16 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after May 2. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 9. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 18 | May 9–May 16 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 9. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 18 | May 16–May 23 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 16 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 4 | May 2–May 16 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Cottage Grove
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 7), Lavender (Feb 7), Onion (Feb 7), Rosemary (Feb 7), Celery (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), Sage (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 7), Beets (Mar 7), Dill (Mar 7), Peas (Mar 7), Radish (Mar 7), Spinach (Mar 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 28). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Cosmos (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 4), Turnip (Apr 4), Carrots (Apr 11), Potatoes (Apr 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 4), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 4), Cabbage (Apr 4), Collards (Apr 4), Kale (Apr 4), Lettuce (Apr 4), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 2), Beans (May 9), Pole Beans (May 9). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 2), Lavender (May 2), Marigolds (May 2), Mint (May 2), Nasturtiums (May 2), Zinnias (May 2), +23 more. Last frost around May 2. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 23), Pumpkin (May 23), Cantaloupe (May 31), Celery (May 31), Melons (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| 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 Cottage Grove, MN (ZIP 55016)?
The median last spring frost date for Cottage Grove, MN (ZIP code 55016) is around May 2. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Cottage Grove, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Cottage Grove, MN is around October 5. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Cottage Grove, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Cottage Grove is about 156 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 Cottage Grove (156 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Cottage Grove, MN?
Cottage Grove, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Cottage Grove, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 28 and plant out May 16 in Cottage Grove. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Cottage Grove?
Two: plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Cottage Grove?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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