Frost Dates for Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Last spring frost May 20 · First fall frost September 19 · 122 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4a
ZIP 55744 has about 20,300 people.
Moderate season: 122 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 6–May 31 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 6–October 1 (25 days).
Frost probability for 55744
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 31 | May 20 | May 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 6 | September 19 | October 1 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GRAND RPDS FOREST LAB (1.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 122-day season in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids (122 frost-free days, a moderate season), 35 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 15 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 8 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 29–May 6 | 164 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 29. | Jul 18 |
| Cucumber | Apr 29 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 94 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 3. | Jun 23 |
| Beans | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 108 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 108 available after May 27. | Jun 30 |
| Peas | — | Mar 25–Jun 3 | 185 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 185 available after Mar 25. | Jul 9 |
| Zucchini | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 94 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 3. | Jun 28 |
| Onion | Feb 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 25–May 13 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Kale | Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 22. | Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 22. | Jul 18 |
| Radish | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Sep 26. | Aug 18 |
| Beets | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Potatoes | — | May 6–May 13 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 19 | 227 | overwinter: Plant Sep 19 to Oct 10; harvest the following summer. | Oct 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 15–Jun 10 | 178 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 15; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 94 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 94 available after May 27. | Jun 1 |
| Pumpkin | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 3 | 87 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 8 | May 13–May 27 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 13. | Jun 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 25 | May 6–May 6 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 22. | Jun 18 |
| Butternut Squash | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 87 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Apr 1 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 80 available after Jun 3. | — |
| Okra | Apr 22 | May 27–Jun 3 | 101 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jun 28 |
| Basil | Apr 15 | Jun 10–Jun 10 | 87 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 87 available after Jun 10. | Jun 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 22–May 13 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Parsley | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 | 122 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 122 available after May 27. | Jul 4 |
| Celery | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 10 | 122 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 122 available after May 27. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 136 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 29 |
| Collards | Mar 11 | Apr 22–May 6 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cantaloupe | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Chives | Feb 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 25–Jun 17 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Oregano | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 | 136 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 136 available after May 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 122 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 122 available after May 27. | — |
| Sage | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 136 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 136 available after May 27. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 11 | May 27–Jun 3 | 136 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 136 available after May 27. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 143 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Cosmos | Apr 22 | May 20–Jun 3 | 108 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 23 |
| Lavender | Feb 25 | May 20–Jun 3 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 8 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 50 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jul 3 |
| Melons | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 80 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 5 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Mint | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 143 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 143 available after May 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 108 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 27–Jun 10 | 101 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 101 available after May 27. | Jun 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 87 | head-start: Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 3 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 20–Jun 3 | 108 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 13 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 25 | May 27–Jun 3 | 87 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 87 available after May 27. | — |
| Watermelon | May 6 | May 27–Jun 3 | 87 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 87 available after May 27. | — |
| Yellow Squash | May 6 | Jun 3–Jun 10 | 94 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 94 available after Jun 3. | Jun 28 |
| Zinnias | Apr 22 | May 20–Jun 3 | 108 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 108 available after May 20. | Jun 23 |
Month by month in Grand Rapids
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 25), Lavender (Feb 25), Onion (Feb 25), Rosemary (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 11), Collards (Mar 11), Kale (Mar 11), Oregano (Mar 11), Parsley (Mar 11), Scallions (Mar 11), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 25), Beets (Mar 25), Dill (Mar 25), Peas (Mar 25), Radish (Mar 25), Spinach (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Eggplant (Apr 1), Calendula (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Marigolds (Apr 8), Pepper (Apr 8), Basil (Apr 15), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 8), Cilantro (Apr 22), Turnip (Apr 22), Carrots (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 22), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 22), Cabbage (Apr 22), Collards (Apr 22), Kale (Apr 22), Lettuce (Apr 22), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 15). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 6), Cantaloupe (May 6), Melons (May 6), Pumpkin (May 6), Spaghetti Squash (May 6), Watermelon (May 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 6), Sunflowers (May 20), Beans (May 27), Pole Beans (May 27). Transplant from: Calendula (May 6), Swiss Chard (May 6), Bok Choy (May 13), Cauliflower (May 13), Cosmos (May 20), Lavender (May 20), +15 more. Last frost around May 20. |
| June | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Jun 3), Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Cucumber (Jun 3), Eggplant (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 3), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Corn (Jun 1), Sunflowers (Jun 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 18), Pole Beans (Jun 18), Basil (Jun 23), Cosmos (Jun 23), +9 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Jul 3), Parsley (Jul 4), Peas (Jul 9), Cabbage (Jul 18), Carrots (Jul 18), Beets (Jul 19), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Kale (Aug 2), Kohlrabi (Aug 2), Turnip (Aug 7), Arugula (Aug 17), Spinach (Aug 17), Radish (Aug 18). |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 19). First frost around September 19. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 10). |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MN (ZIP 55744)?
The median last spring frost date for Grand Rapids, MN (ZIP code 55744) is around May 20. 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 May 6; one in ten it runs past May 31.
What is the first fall frost date in Grand Rapids, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Grand Rapids, MN is around September 19. 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 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Grand Rapids, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Grand Rapids is about 122 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 Grand Rapids (122 frost-free days, a moderate season), 35 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 15 get two plantings, 5 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Grand Rapids, MN?
Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 15 and plant out Jun 3 in Grand Rapids. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Grand Rapids?
Two: plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Sep 26.
When do I plant garlic in Grand Rapids?
Sep 19 to Oct 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Grand Rapids?
Yes, with help. Even planted out Jun 3, the outdoor season is about 13 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bemidji (ZIP 56601) has 129 frost-free days, 7 more than Grand Rapids (ZIP 55744). See Bemidji ZIP 56601 frost dates
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