Frost Dates for Minneapolis, MN 55437

Minneapolis has 51 ZIP codes. The Minneapolis, MN frost page lists all of them with their dates.

Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 2 · 155 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a

ZIP 55437 has about 18,900 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 55437

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 12April 30April 17
Fall (first frost)September 21October 2October 12

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL INTL AP (11.2 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.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 26May 14–May 21113fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14.Jun 2
PepperMar 19May 14–May 21113fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14.Jun 7
LettuceMar 5Apr 2–Apr 9190two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 11
Carrots—Apr 9–Apr 16197fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 9.Jul 31
CucumberApr 9May 14–May 21127fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 14.Jul 6
Beans—May 7–May 21141two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25.Jul 13
Peas—Mar 5–May 14218fits: 65 days to maturity, 218 available after Mar 5.Jul 22
ZucchiniApr 16May 14–May 21127two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 11
OnionFeb 5Apr 2–Apr 16190fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 2.—
Spinach—Mar 5–Apr 23232two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 30
KaleFeb 19Apr 2–Apr 16204two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 15
BroccoliMar 5Apr 2–Apr 16190fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 2.Jul 7
CabbageMar 5Apr 2–Apr 16204fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2.Jul 31
Radish—Mar 5–May 28218two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 31
Beets—Mar 5–May 28218two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 1
Potatoes—Apr 16–Apr 23176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 16.—
Garlic—Oct 2260overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer.Oct 23
Strawberry—Mar 26–May 21211perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 2May 7–May 14127fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 7.Jun 14
PumpkinApr 16May 14–May 14120fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14.May 20
CauliflowerMar 19Apr 23–May 7169fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 23.Jul 12
Swiss ChardMar 5Apr 16–Apr 16176two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 1
Arugula—Mar 5–May 28232two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 30
Brussel SproutsMar 5Apr 2–Apr 16204fits: 100 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2.Jul 1
Butternut SquashApr 16May 14–May 21120fits: 100 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14.May 20
EggplantMar 12May 14–May 21113fits: 70 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14.Jun 12
OkraApr 2May 7–May 14134two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 11
BasilMar 26May 21–May 21120fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 21.Jul 6
Cilantro—Apr 2–Apr 23190two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 6
ParsleyFeb 19May 7–May 14155fits: 70 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7.Jul 17
CeleryFeb 19May 7–May 21155fits: 120 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7.May 28
ScallionsFeb 19Apr 2–Apr 16204two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 10
Turnip—Apr 2–Apr 16204two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 20
Kohlrabi—Mar 19–Apr 2218two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 15
Bok ChoyApr 2Apr 23–Apr 30169two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 11
CollardsFeb 19Apr 2–Apr 16204two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23.Aug 10
CantaloupeApr 16May 14–May 21113fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14.May 28
ChivesFeb 5May 7–May 14169fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7.—
Dill—Mar 5–May 28218two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 1
OreganoFeb 19May 7–May 14169fits: 80 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7.—
RosemaryFeb 5May 7–May 14155fits: 80 days to maturity, 155 available after May 7.—
SageMar 5May 7–May 14169fits: 75 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7.—
ThymeFeb 19May 7–May 14169fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 7.—
CalendulaMar 19Apr 16–Apr 30176two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9.Aug 6
CosmosApr 2Apr 30–May 14141two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 6
LavenderFeb 5Apr 30–May 14176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 30.—
MarigoldsMar 19Apr 30–May 7141two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 16
MelonsApr 16May 14–May 21113fits: 85 days to maturity, 113 available after May 14.May 28
Mint—Apr 30–May 14176fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 30.—
NasturtiumsApr 2Apr 30–May 7141two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 11
Pole Beans—May 7–May 21134fits: 65 days to maturity, 134 available after May 7.Jul 1
Spaghetti SquashApr 16May 14–May 21120fits: 90 days to maturity, 120 available after May 14.May 30
Sunflowers—Apr 30–May 14141fits: 70 days to maturity, 141 available after Apr 30.Jun 26
TomatillosMar 5May 7–May 14120fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 7.Jun 7
WatermelonApr 16May 7–May 14120fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 7.Jun 2
Yellow SquashApr 16May 14–May 21127two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 11
ZinniasApr 2Apr 30–May 14141two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18.Jul 6

Month by month in Minneapolis

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more.
MarchStart 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).
AprilStart 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.
MayDirect 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).
JuneLast sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 2), Watermelon (Jun 2), Pepper (Jun 7), Tomatillos (Jun 7), Eggplant (Jun 12), Corn (Jun 14), +1 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 1), Pole Beans (Jul 1), Basil (Jul 6), Cosmos (Jul 6), Cucumber (Jul 6), Zinnias (Jul 6), +12 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Beets (Aug 1), Dill (Aug 1), Swiss Chard (Aug 1), Calendula (Aug 6), Cilantro (Aug 6), Collards (Aug 10), +9 more.
SeptemberFirst fall frost approaching (around October 2). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes.
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 2). First frost around October 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 23).
NovemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.
DecemberClean 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 55437)?

The median last spring frost date for Minneapolis, MN (ZIP code 55437) 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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