Frost Dates for Rochester, MN 55901
Last spring frost May 3 · First fall frost October 2 · 152 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 55901 has about 58,500 people, the largest of 6 ZIP codes in Rochester.
Moderate season: 152 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 22–May 16 (24 days). Fall frost risk spans September 19–October 15 (26 days).
Frost probability for 55901
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 16 | May 3 | April 22 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 19 | October 2 | October 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROCHESTER INTL AP (19.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Rochester, MN
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55901 | May 3 | October 2 | 4b |
| 55904 | May 3 | October 2 | 4b |
| 55902 | May 3 | October 2 | 4b |
| 55906 | May 3 | October 2 | 4b |
| 55903 | May 3 | October 2 | 4b |
| 55905 | May 3 | October 2 | 5b (est.) |
Which crops fit a 152-day season in Rochester
In Rochester (152 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 29 | May 17–May 24 | 110 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 110 available after May 17. | Jun 2 |
| Pepper | Mar 22 | May 17–May 24 | 110 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 110 available after May 17. | Jun 7 |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 194 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 12. | Jul 31 |
| Cucumber | Apr 12 | May 17–May 24 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 17. | Jul 6 |
| Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 25. | Jul 13 |
| Peas | — | Mar 8–May 17 | 215 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 215 available after Mar 8. | Jul 22 |
| Zucchini | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Onion | Feb 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 8–Apr 26 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Kale | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 5. | Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 5. | Jul 31 |
| Radish | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 19. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 2 | 257 | overwinter: Plant Oct 2 to Oct 23; harvest the following summer. | Oct 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 29–May 24 | 208 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 29; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 10. | Jun 14 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 19 | May 17–May 17 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | May 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 | Apr 26–May 10 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 26. | Jul 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 8 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 229 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 8 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 5. | Jul 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | May 20 |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 | May 17–May 24 | 110 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 110 available after May 17. | Jun 12 |
| Okra | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Basil | Mar 29 | May 24–May 24 | 117 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 117 available after May 24. | Jul 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 5–Apr 26 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Parsley | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 152 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 152 available after May 10. | Jul 17 |
| Celery | Feb 22 | May 10–May 24 | 152 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 152 available after May 10. | May 28 |
| Scallions | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 5 | Apr 26–May 3 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 11 |
| Collards | Feb 22 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 110 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 110 available after May 17. | May 28 |
| Chives | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 8–May 31 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Oregano | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after May 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 8 | May 10–May 17 | 152 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 152 available after May 10. | — |
| Sage | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after May 10. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 22 | May 10–May 17 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after May 10. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 22 | Apr 19–May 3 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Cosmos | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
| Lavender | Feb 8 | May 3–May 17 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 22 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 16 |
| Melons | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 110 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 110 available after May 17. | May 28 |
| Mint | — | May 3–May 17 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 5 | May 3–May 10 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 10–May 24 | 131 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 131 available after May 10. | Jul 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 117 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 117 available after May 17. | May 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 3–May 17 | 138 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 138 available after May 3. | Jun 26 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | Apr 19 | May 10–May 17 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 10. | Jun 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 19 | May 17–May 24 | 124 | two-plantings: Plant May 17 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 11 |
| Zinnias | Apr 5 | May 3–May 17 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 6; both mature before Sep 18. | Jul 6 |
Month by month in Rochester
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 8), Lavender (Feb 8), Onion (Feb 8), Rosemary (Feb 8), Celery (Feb 22), Collards (Feb 22), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 8), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 8), Cabbage (Mar 8), Lettuce (Mar 8), Sage (Mar 8), Swiss Chard (Mar 8), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 8), Beets (Mar 8), Dill (Mar 8), Peas (Mar 8), Radish (Mar 8), Spinach (Mar 8), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 29). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Cosmos (Apr 5), Nasturtiums (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Zinnias (Apr 5), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 5), Turnip (Apr 5), Carrots (Apr 12), Potatoes (Apr 19). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 5), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 5), Cabbage (Apr 5), Collards (Apr 5), Kale (Apr 5), Lettuce (Apr 5), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 3), Beans (May 10), Pole Beans (May 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 3), Lavender (May 3), Marigolds (May 3), Mint (May 3), Nasturtiums (May 3), Zinnias (May 3), +23 more. Last frost around May 3. 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 Rochester, MN (ZIP 55901)?
The median last spring frost date for Rochester, MN (ZIP code 55901) is around May 3. 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 22; one in ten it runs past May 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Rochester, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Rochester, 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Rochester, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Rochester is about 152 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 Rochester (152 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 Rochester, MN?
Rochester, 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 Rochester, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 29 and plant out May 17 in Rochester. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Rochester?
Two: plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 9.
When do I plant garlic in Rochester?
Oct 2 to Oct 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rochester, MN 55902 (7.6 mi)
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- Frost dates for Owatonna, MN 55060 (35.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Austin, MN 55912 (36.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Faribault, MN 55021 (41.2 mi)
- When to plant in Rochester, MN: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Cucumbers in MN
- When to plant Zucchini in MN
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MN
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