Frost Dates for Minneapolis, MN 55424
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 2 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 55424 has about 10,300 people, one of 51 ZIP codes in Minneapolis.
Moderate season: 155 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 17–May 12 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 12 (21 days).
Frost probability for 55424
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 30 | April 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 2 | October 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL INTL AP (8.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 155-day season in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis (155 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 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14. | Jun 2 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14. | Jun 7 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9. | Jul 31 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14. | Jul 6 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 218 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 5. | Jul 22 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 2. | Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2. | Jul 31 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 2 | 260 | overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer. | Oct 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 211 | 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 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7. | Jun 14 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | May 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 23. | Jul 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2. | Jul 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | May 20 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 113 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14. | Jun 12 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21. | Jul 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 155 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7. | Jul 17 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 155 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7. | May 28 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14. | May 28 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 218 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 169 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 155 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 169 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 113 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14. | May 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 134 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7. | Jul 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 120 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14. | May 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 141 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 30. | Jun 26 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 7. | Jun 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
Month by month in Minneapolis
| 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 20), Pumpkin (May 20), Cantaloupe (May 28), Celery (May 28), Melons (May 28), Spaghetti Squash (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 7), Tomatillos (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 12), Corn (Jun 14), +1 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 1), Pole Beans (Jul 1), Basil (Jul 6), Cosmos (Jul 6), Cucumber (Jul 6), Zinnias (Jul 6), +12 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beets (Aug 1), Dill (Aug 1), Swiss Chard (Aug 1), Calendula (Aug 6), Cilantro (Aug 6), Collards (Aug 10), +9 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 2). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 2). First frost around October 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 23). |
| 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 Minneapolis, MN (ZIP 55424)?
The median last spring frost date for Minneapolis, MN (ZIP code 55424) 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 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Minneapolis, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Minneapolis, MN is around October 2. 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 Minneapolis, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Minneapolis is about 155 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 Minneapolis (155 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 Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Minneapolis. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Minneapolis?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.
When do I plant garlic in Minneapolis?
Oct 2 to Oct 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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