Frost Dates for East Grand Forks, MN 56721
Last spring frost May 11 · First fall frost September 23 · 135 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 56721 has about 10,700 people.
Moderate season: 135 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 28–May 23 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 13–October 6 (23 days).
Frost probability for 56721
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 23 | May 11 | April 28 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 13 | September 23 | October 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CROOKSTON NW EXP STN (29.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 135-day season in East Grand Forks
In East Grand Forks (135 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 1 | 93 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 93 available after May 25. | — |
| Pepper | Mar 30 | May 25–Jun 1 | 93 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 93 available after May 25. | May 29 |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 20. | Jul 22 |
| Cucumber | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 107 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 107 available after May 25. | Jun 27 |
| Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 121 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 18. | Jul 4 |
| Peas | — | Mar 16–May 25 | 198 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 16. | Jul 13 |
| Zucchini | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 107 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 107 available after May 25. | Jul 2 |
| Onion | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 170 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 16–May 4 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Kale | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 13. | Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 13. | Jul 22 |
| Radish | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 23 | 240 | overwinter: Plant Sep 23 to Oct 14; harvest the following summer. | Oct 14 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 6–Jun 1 | 191 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 107 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 107 available after May 18. | Jun 5 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 27 | May 25–May 25 | 100 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 | May 4–May 18 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after May 4. | Jul 3 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 16 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 21 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 13. | Jun 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 93 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 93 available after May 25. | Jun 3 |
| Okra | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 114 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18. | Jul 2 |
| Basil | Apr 6 | Jun 1–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 100 available after Jun 1. | Jun 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 13–May 4 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Parsley | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | Jul 8 |
| Celery | Mar 2 | May 18–Jun 1 | 135 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | May 19 |
| Scallions | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30. | Aug 2 |
| Collards | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 93 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 93 available after May 25. | — |
| Chives | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Oregano | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after May 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 18. | — |
| Sage | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after May 18. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 149 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 149 available after May 18. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Cosmos | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 121 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 11. | Jun 27 |
| Lavender | Feb 16 | May 11–May 25 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 30 | May 11–May 18 | 121 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 9. | Jul 7 |
| Melons | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 93 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 93 available after May 25. | — |
| Mint | — | May 11–May 25 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after May 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 121 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 121 available after May 11. | Jul 2 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 114 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 114 available after May 18. | Jun 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 100 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 100 available after May 25. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 11–May 25 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 11. | Jun 17 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 100 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 100 available after May 18. | May 29 |
| Watermelon | Apr 27 | May 18–May 25 | 100 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 100 available after May 18. | May 24 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 107 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 107 available after May 25. | Jul 2 |
| Zinnias | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 121 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 11. | Jun 27 |
Month by month in East Grand Forks
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 16), Lavender (Feb 16), Onion (Feb 16), Rosemary (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Oregano (Mar 2), Parsley (Mar 2), Scallions (Mar 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 16), Beets (Mar 16), Dill (Mar 16), Peas (Mar 16), Radish (Mar 16), Spinach (Mar 16), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 6), Tomato (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Corn (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 13), Nasturtiums (Apr 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 13), Turnip (Apr 13), Carrots (Apr 20), Potatoes (Apr 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 13), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 13), Cabbage (Apr 13), Collards (Apr 13), Kale (Apr 13), Lettuce (Apr 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 6). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 11), Beans (May 18), Pole Beans (May 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 4), Cauliflower (May 4), Cosmos (May 11), Lavender (May 11), Marigolds (May 11), Mint (May 11), +24 more. Last frost around May 11. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 19), Watermelon (May 24), Pepper (May 29), Tomatillos (May 29). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 1). 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 East Grand Forks, MN (ZIP 56721)?
The median last spring frost date for East Grand Forks, MN (ZIP code 56721) is around May 11. 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 28; one in ten it runs past May 23.
What is the first fall frost date in East Grand Forks, MN?
The median first fall frost date for East Grand Forks, 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in East Grand Forks, MN?
The frost-free growing season in East Grand Forks is about 135 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 East Grand Forks (135 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is East Grand Forks, MN?
East Grand Forks, 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 East Grand Forks, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 6 and plant out May 25 in East Grand Forks. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in East Grand Forks?
Two: plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Sep 30.
When do I plant garlic in East Grand Forks?
Sep 23 to Oct 14; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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