Frost Dates for Mankato, MN 56001
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 3 · 156 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 56001 has about 51,600 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Mankato.
Moderate season: 156 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 14 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 20–October 17 (27 days).
Frost probability for 56001
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 14 | April 30 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 20 | October 3 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST PETER (21.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Mankato, MN
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56001 | April 30 | October 3 | 5a |
| 56003 | April 30 | October 3 | 5a |
Which crops fit a 156-day season in Mankato
In Mankato (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 26 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 3 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 8 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 198 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 9. | Aug 1 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jul 7 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 219 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 5. | Jul 23 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 2. | Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | Aug 1 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 10. | Sep 1 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 3 | 261 | overwinter: Plant Oct 3 to Oct 24; harvest the following summer. | Oct 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 212 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 121 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | May 21 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 170 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 23. | Jul 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 31 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | Jul 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | May 21 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | Jun 13 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 121 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 121 available after May 21. | Jul 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after May 7. | Jul 18 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 156 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 156 available after May 7. | May 29 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 12 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | May 29 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 2 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 170 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 170 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 170 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 10. | Aug 7 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 7 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 17 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 114 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 114 available after May 14. | May 29 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 135 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | Jul 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | May 31 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 142 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 27 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 7. | Jun 8 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 7. | Jun 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 12 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 7; both mature before Sep 19. | Jul 7 |
Month by month in Mankato
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 21), Pumpkin (May 21), Cantaloupe (May 29), Celery (May 29), Melons (May 29), Spaghetti Squash (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 3), Watermelon (Jun 3), Pepper (Jun 8), Tomatillos (Jun 8), Eggplant (Jun 13), Corn (Jun 15), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 2), Pole Beans (Jul 2), Basil (Jul 7), Cosmos (Jul 7), Cucumber (Jul 7), Zinnias (Jul 7), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 1), Carrots (Aug 1), Beets (Aug 2), Dill (Aug 2), Swiss Chard (Aug 2), Calendula (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Radish (Sep 1). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 3). First frost around October 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 24). |
| 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 Mankato, MN (ZIP 56001)?
The median last spring frost date for Mankato, MN (ZIP code 56001) is around April 30. 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 17; one in ten it runs past May 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Mankato, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Mankato, MN is around October 3. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Mankato, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Mankato 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 Mankato (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 Mankato, MN?
Mankato, 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 Mankato, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Mankato. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Mankato?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 10.
When do I plant garlic in Mankato?
Oct 3 to Oct 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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