Frost Dates for Lake Elmo, MN 55042
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 7 · 161 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 55042 has about 13,700 people.
Moderate season: 161 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 14 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 21 (29 days).
Frost probability for 55042
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 29 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 22 | October 7 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST PAUL (11.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 161-day season in Lake Elmo
In Lake Elmo (161 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 25 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 8. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 133 available after May 13. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 224 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 1. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 1. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 266 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 217 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 133 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 133 available after May 6. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 126 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 22. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 210 available after Apr 1. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 140 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 20. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after May 6. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 161 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 161 available after May 6. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 175 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 175 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 119 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 119 available after May 13. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 140 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 140 available after May 6. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 126 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 126 available after May 13. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 147 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 147 available after Apr 29. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 126 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 126 available after May 6. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 126 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 126 available after May 6. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 133 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Lake Elmo
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| 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 Lake Elmo, MN (ZIP 55042)?
The median last spring frost date for Lake Elmo, MN (ZIP code 55042) is around April 29. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Lake Elmo, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Lake Elmo, MN is around October 7. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lake Elmo, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Lake Elmo is about 161 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 Lake Elmo (161 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 Lake Elmo, MN?
Lake Elmo, 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 Lake Elmo, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Lake Elmo. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lake Elmo?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Lake Elmo?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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