Frost Dates for Prior Lake, MN 55372

Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 1 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b

ZIP 55372 has about 34,800 people.

Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 18–May 14 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 11 (20 days).

Frost probability for 55372

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 14May 1April 18
Fall (first frost)September 21October 1October 11

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CHASKA (19.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 153-day season in Prior Lake

In Prior Lake (153 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 27May 15–May 22111fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15.Jun 1
PepperMar 20May 15–May 22111fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15.Jun 6
LettuceMar 6Apr 3–Apr 10188two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.Aug 10
Carrots—Apr 10–Apr 17195fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 10.Jul 30
CucumberApr 10May 15–May 22125fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15.Jul 5
Beans—May 8–May 22139two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24.Jul 12
Peas—Mar 6–May 15216fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 6.Jul 21
ZucchiniApr 17May 15–May 22125two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 10
OnionFeb 6Apr 3–Apr 17188fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 3.—
Spinach—Mar 6–Apr 24230two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 29
KaleFeb 20Apr 3–Apr 17202two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 14
BroccoliMar 6Apr 3–Apr 17188fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 3.Jul 6
CabbageMar 6Apr 3–Apr 17202fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3.Jul 30
Radish—Mar 6–May 29216two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 8.Aug 30
Beets—Mar 6–May 29216two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8.Jul 31
Potatoes—Apr 17–Apr 24174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 17.—
Garlic—Oct 1258overwinter: Plant Oct 1 to Oct 22; harvest the following summer.Oct 22
Strawberry—Mar 27–May 22209perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 3May 8–May 15125fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 8.Jun 13
PumpkinApr 17May 15–May 15118fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15.May 19
CauliflowerMar 20Apr 24–May 8167fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 24.Jul 11
Swiss ChardMar 6Apr 17–Apr 17174two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8.Jul 31
Arugula—Mar 6–May 29230two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 29
Brussel SproutsMar 6Apr 3–Apr 17202fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3.Jun 30
Butternut SquashApr 17May 15–May 22118fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15.May 19
EggplantMar 13May 15–May 22111fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15.Jun 11
OkraApr 3May 8–May 15132two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 10
BasilMar 27May 22–May 22118fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22.Jul 5
Cilantro—Apr 3–Apr 24188two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8.Aug 5
ParsleyFeb 20May 8–May 15153fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 8.Jul 16
CeleryFeb 20May 8–May 22153fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 8.May 27
ScallionsFeb 20Apr 3–Apr 17202two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 9
Turnip—Apr 3–Apr 17202two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 19
Kohlrabi—Mar 20–Apr 3216two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 14
Bok ChoyApr 3Apr 24–May 1167two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.Aug 10
CollardsFeb 20Apr 3–Apr 17202two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22.Aug 9
CantaloupeApr 17May 15–May 22111fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15.May 27
ChivesFeb 6May 8–May 15167fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8.—
Dill—Mar 6–May 29216two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8.Jul 31
OreganoFeb 20May 8–May 15167fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8.—
RosemaryFeb 6May 8–May 15153fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 8.—
SageMar 6May 8–May 15167fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8.—
ThymeFeb 20May 8–May 15167fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8.—
CalendulaMar 20Apr 17–May 1174two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8.Aug 5
CosmosApr 3May 1–May 15139two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 5
LavenderFeb 6May 1–May 15174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 1.—
MarigoldsMar 20May 1–May 8139two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 15
MelonsApr 17May 15–May 22111fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15.May 27
Mint—May 1–May 15174fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 1.—
NasturtiumsApr 3May 1–May 8139two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 10
Pole Beans—May 8–May 22132fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 8.Jun 30
Spaghetti SquashApr 17May 15–May 22118fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15.May 29
Sunflowers—May 1–May 15139fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 1.Jun 25
TomatillosMar 6May 8–May 15118fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8.Jun 6
WatermelonApr 17May 8–May 15118fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8.Jun 1
Yellow SquashApr 17May 15–May 22125two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 10
ZinniasApr 3May 1–May 15139two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17.Jul 5

Month by month in Prior Lake

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Onion (Feb 6), Rosemary (Feb 6), Celery (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), +5 more.
MarchStart indoors: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), Sage (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 6), Beets (Mar 6), Dill (Mar 6), Peas (Mar 6), Radish (Mar 6), Spinach (Mar 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 27).
AprilStart indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 3), Turnip (Apr 3), Carrots (Apr 10), Potatoes (Apr 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Collards (Apr 3), Kale (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), +6 more.
MayDirect sow from: Sunflowers (May 1), Beans (May 8), Pole Beans (May 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 1), Lavender (May 1), Marigolds (May 1), Mint (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +23 more. Last frost around May 1. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 19), Pumpkin (May 19), Cantaloupe (May 27), Celery (May 27), Melons (May 27), Spaghetti Squash (May 29).
JuneLast sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 1), Watermelon (Jun 1), Pepper (Jun 6), Tomatillos (Jun 6), Eggplant (Jun 11), Corn (Jun 13), +3 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Basil (Jul 5), Cosmos (Jul 5), Cucumber (Jul 5), Zinnias (Jul 5), Broccoli (Jul 6), Nasturtiums (Jul 10), +13 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 5), Cilantro (Aug 5), Collards (Aug 9), Scallions (Aug 9), Bok Choy (Aug 10), Lettuce (Aug 10), +6 more.
SeptemberFirst fall frost approaching (around October 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes.
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 1). First frost around October 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 22).
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 Prior Lake, MN (ZIP 55372)?

The median last spring frost date for Prior Lake, MN (ZIP code 55372) is around May 1. 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 18; one in ten it runs past May 14.

What is the first fall frost date in Prior Lake, MN?

The median first fall frost date for Prior Lake, MN is around October 1. 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 Prior Lake, MN?

The frost-free growing season in Prior Lake is about 153 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 Prior Lake (153 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 Prior Lake, MN?

Prior Lake, 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 Prior Lake, MN?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Prior Lake. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Prior Lake?

Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.

When do I plant garlic in Prior Lake?

Oct 1 to Oct 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

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