Frost Dates for Park Rapids, MN 56470
Last spring frost May 15 · First fall frost September 25 · 133 frost-free days · USDA Zone 3b
ZIP 56470 has about 11,200 people.
Moderate season: 133 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans May 1–May 29 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 15–October 5 (20 days).
Frost probability for 56470
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 29 | May 15 | May 1 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 15 | September 25 | October 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BEMIDJI (60.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 133-day season in Park Rapids
In Park Rapids (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 10 | May 29–Jun 5 | 91 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 91 available after May 29. | — |
| Pepper | Apr 3 | May 29–Jun 5 | 91 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 91 available after May 29. | May 31 |
| Lettuce | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 24–May 1 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 24. | Jul 24 |
| Cucumber | Apr 24 | May 29–Jun 5 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 29. | Jun 29 |
| Beans | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 22. | Jul 6 |
| Peas | — | Mar 20–May 29 | 196 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Mar 20. | Jul 15 |
| Zucchini | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 29. | Jul 4 |
| Onion | Feb 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 20–May 8 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Kale | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 17. | Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 17. | Jul 24 |
| Radish | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | May 1–May 8 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 25 | 238 | overwinter: Plant Sep 25 to Oct 16; harvest the following summer. | Oct 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 10–Jun 5 | 189 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 105 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 22. | Jun 7 |
| Pumpkin | May 1 | May 29–May 29 | 98 | head-start: Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 3 | May 8–May 22 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 8. | Jul 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 20 | May 1–May 1 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 17. | Jun 24 |
| Butternut Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | head-start: Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | 91 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 91 available after May 29. | Jun 5 |
| Okra | Apr 17 | May 22–May 29 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 22. | Jul 4 |
| Basil | Apr 10 | Jun 5–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 98 available after Jun 5. | Jun 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 17–May 8 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Parsley | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 133 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 133 available after May 22. | Jul 10 |
| Celery | Mar 6 | May 22–Jun 5 | 133 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 133 available after May 22. | — |
| Scallions | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 147 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Collards | Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cantaloupe | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 91 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 29. | — |
| Chives | Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 20–Jun 12 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Oregano | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 147 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 147 available after May 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 20 | May 22–May 29 | 133 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 133 available after May 22. | — |
| Sage | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 147 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 147 available after May 22. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 6 | May 22–May 29 | 147 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 147 available after May 22. | — |
| Calendula | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Cosmos | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 29 |
| Lavender | Feb 20 | May 15–May 29 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Apr 3 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 11. | Jul 9 |
| Melons | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 91 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 91 available after May 29. | — |
| Mint | — | May 15–May 29 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jul 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 22–Jun 5 | 112 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 112 available after May 22. | Jun 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 98 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 98 available after May 29. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 15–May 29 | 119 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 19 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 20 | May 22–May 29 | 98 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 22. | May 31 |
| Watermelon | May 1 | May 22–May 29 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after May 22. | May 26 |
| Yellow Squash | May 1 | May 29–Jun 5 | 105 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 105 available after May 29. | Jul 4 |
| Zinnias | Apr 17 | May 15–May 29 | 119 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 119 available after May 15. | Jun 29 |
Month by month in Park 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 20), Lavender (Feb 20), Onion (Feb 20), Rosemary (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), Scallions (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 20), Beets (Mar 20), Dill (Mar 20), Peas (Mar 20), Radish (Mar 20), Spinach (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Calendula (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Pepper (Apr 3), Basil (Apr 10), Tomato (Apr 10), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Apr 3), Cilantro (Apr 17), Turnip (Apr 17), Carrots (Apr 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 17), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 17), Cabbage (Apr 17), Collards (Apr 17), Kale (Apr 17), Lettuce (Apr 17), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 10). |
| May | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pumpkin (May 1), Spaghetti Squash (May 1), Watermelon (May 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (May 1), Sunflowers (May 15), Beans (May 22), Pole Beans (May 22). Transplant from: Calendula (May 1), Swiss Chard (May 1), Bok Choy (May 8), Cauliflower (May 8), Cosmos (May 15), Lavender (May 15), +26 more. Last frost around May 15. Last sowing dates: Watermelon (May 26), Pepper (May 31), Tomatillos (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 5). Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jun 5), Corn (Jun 7), Sunflowers (Jun 19), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 24), Pole Beans (Jun 24), Basil (Jun 29), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Jul 4), Okra (Jul 4), Yellow Squash (Jul 4), Zucchini (Jul 4), Cauliflower (Jul 5), Beans (Jul 6), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 3), Scallions (Aug 3), Bok Choy (Aug 4), Lettuce (Aug 4), Kale (Aug 8), Kohlrabi (Aug 8), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 25). First frost around September 25. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 16). |
| 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 Park Rapids, MN (ZIP 56470)?
The median last spring frost date for Park Rapids, MN (ZIP code 56470) is around May 15. 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 1; one in ten it runs past May 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Park Rapids, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Park Rapids, MN is around September 25. 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 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Park Rapids, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Park Rapids is about 133 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 Park Rapids (133 frost-free days, a moderate season), 37 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 2 need an indoor start, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Park Rapids, MN?
Park Rapids, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 3b (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 Park Rapids, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 10 and plant out May 29 in Park 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 Park Rapids?
Two: plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.
When do I plant garlic in Park Rapids?
Sep 25 to Oct 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I grow Butternut Squash in Park Rapids?
Yes, with help. Even planted out May 29, the outdoor season is about 2 days short; choose an early variety or grow under cover.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Detroit Lakes (ZIP 56501) has 142 frost-free days, 9 more than Park Rapids (ZIP 56470). See Detroit Lakes ZIP 56501 frost dates
Nearby and related
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