Frost Dates for Princeton, MN 55371
Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost September 25 · 139 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 55371 has about 18,100 people.
Moderate season: 139 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 25–May 24 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 14–October 6 (22 days).
Frost probability for 55371
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 24 | May 9 | April 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 14 | September 25 | October 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MILACA (20.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 139-day season in Princeton
In Princeton (139 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 4 | May 23–May 30 | 97 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 97 available after May 23. | May 26 |
| Pepper | Mar 28 | May 23–May 30 | 97 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 97 available after May 23. | May 31 |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 181 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 18. | Jul 24 |
| Cucumber | Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | 111 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 111 available after May 23. | Jun 29 |
| Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 16. | Jul 6 |
| Peas | — | Mar 14–May 23 | 202 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 14. | Jul 15 |
| Zucchini | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 23. | Jul 4 |
| Onion | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 174 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 14–May 2 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Kale | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 11. | Jul 24 |
| Radish | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 25–May 2 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 25 | 244 | overwinter: Plant Sep 25 to Oct 16; harvest the following summer. | Oct 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 4–May 30 | 195 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 16. | Jun 7 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 25 | May 23–May 23 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 | May 2–May 16 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 2. | Jul 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 14 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 11. | Jun 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 | May 23–May 30 | 97 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 97 available after May 23. | Jun 5 |
| Okra | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 118 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 118 available after May 16. | Jul 4 |
| Basil | Apr 4 | May 30–May 30 | 104 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 104 available after May 30. | Jun 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 11–May 2 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Parsley | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 16. | Jul 10 |
| Celery | Feb 28 | May 16–May 30 | 139 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 139 available after May 16. | May 21 |
| Scallions | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Collards | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 97 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 97 available after May 23. | — |
| Chives | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Oregano | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 139 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 139 available after May 16. | — |
| Sage | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after May 16. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after May 16. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Cosmos | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 9. | Jun 29 |
| Lavender | Feb 14 | May 9–May 23 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 11. | Jul 9 |
| Melons | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 97 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 97 available after May 23. | — |
| Mint | — | May 9–May 23 | 160 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 160 available after May 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 4; both mature before Sep 11. | Jul 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 118 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 118 available after May 16. | Jun 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 104 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 104 available after May 23. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 9–May 23 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 9. | Jun 19 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 104 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 104 available after May 16. | May 31 |
| Watermelon | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 104 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 104 available after May 16. | May 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 111 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 111 available after May 23. | Jul 4 |
| Zinnias | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 9. | Jun 29 |
Month by month in Princeton
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 14), Lavender (Feb 14), Onion (Feb 14), Rosemary (Feb 14), Celery (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 14), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 14), Cabbage (Mar 14), Lettuce (Mar 14), Sage (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 14), Beets (Mar 14), Dill (Mar 14), Peas (Mar 14), Radish (Mar 14), Spinach (Mar 14), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 4), Tomato (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Corn (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 11), Nasturtiums (Apr 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 11), Turnip (Apr 11), Carrots (Apr 18), Potatoes (Apr 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 11), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 11), Cabbage (Apr 11), Collards (Apr 11), Kale (Apr 11), Lettuce (Apr 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 4). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 9), Beans (May 16), Pole Beans (May 16). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 2), Cauliflower (May 2), Cosmos (May 9), Lavender (May 9), Marigolds (May 9), Mint (May 9), +25 more. Last frost around May 9. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 21), Tomato (May 26), Watermelon (May 26), Pepper (May 31), Tomatillos (May 31). |
| June | 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 Princeton, MN (ZIP 55371)?
The median last spring frost date for Princeton, MN (ZIP code 55371) is around May 9. 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 25; one in ten it runs past May 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Princeton, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Princeton, 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 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Princeton, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Princeton is about 139 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 Princeton (139 frost-free days, a moderate season), 38 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 17 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Princeton, MN?
Princeton, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (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 Princeton, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Princeton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Princeton?
Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.
When do I plant garlic in Princeton?
Sep 25 to Oct 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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