Frost Dates for Saint Cloud, MN 56303
Saint Cloud has 3 ZIP codes. The Saint Cloud, MN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost May 9 · First fall frost September 26 · 140 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 56303 has about 25,800 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Saint Cloud.
Moderate season: 140 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 27–May 22 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 15–October 8 (23 days).
Frost probability for 56303
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 22 | May 9 | April 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 15 | September 26 | October 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LITTLE FALLS 2NNE (48.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 140-day season in Saint Cloud
In Saint Cloud (140 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 | 98 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 98 available after May 23. | May 27 |
| Pepper | Mar 28 | May 23–May 30 | 98 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 98 available after May 23. | Jun 1 |
| Lettuce | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 18. | Jul 25 |
| Cucumber | Apr 18 | May 23–May 30 | 112 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23. | Jun 30 |
| Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 16. | Jul 7 |
| Peas | — | Mar 14–May 23 | 203 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 14. | Jul 16 |
| Zucchini | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23. | Jul 5 |
| Onion | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 175 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 14–May 2 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Kale | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Broccoli | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 11. | Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 11. | Jul 25 |
| Radish | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 25–May 2 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 26 | 245 | overwinter: Plant Sep 26 to Oct 17; harvest the following summer. | Oct 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 4–May 30 | 196 | 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 | 112 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 112 available after May 16. | Jun 8 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 25 | May 23–May 23 | 105 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 28 | May 2–May 16 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after May 2. | Jul 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 14 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 11. | Jun 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 21 | May 23–May 30 | 98 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 98 available after May 23. | Jun 6 |
| Okra | Apr 11 | May 16–May 23 | 119 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 119 available after May 16. | Jul 5 |
| Basil | Apr 4 | May 30–May 30 | 105 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 105 available after May 30. | Jun 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 11–May 2 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Parsley | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 140 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 140 available after May 16. | Jul 11 |
| Celery | Feb 28 | May 16–May 30 | 140 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 140 available after May 16. | May 22 |
| Scallions | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 11 | May 2–May 9 | 154 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3. | Aug 5 |
| Collards | Feb 28 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 98 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 98 available after May 23. | — |
| Chives | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 16. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 14–Jun 6 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 26 |
| Oregano | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 154 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 154 available after May 16. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 14 | May 16–May 23 | 140 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 140 available after May 16. | — |
| Sage | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 154 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 154 available after May 16. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 28 | May 16–May 23 | 154 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 154 available after May 16. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 28 | Apr 25–May 9 | 161 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 31 |
| Cosmos | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 9. | Jun 30 |
| Lavender | Feb 14 | May 9–May 23 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 9. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 28 | May 9–May 16 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 10 |
| Melons | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 98 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 98 available after May 23. | — |
| Mint | — | May 9–May 23 | 161 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 161 available after May 9. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 11 | May 9–May 16 | 126 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 12. | Jul 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 16–May 30 | 119 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 119 available after May 16. | Jun 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 105 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 105 available after May 23. | May 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 9–May 23 | 126 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 126 available after May 9. | Jun 20 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 14 | May 16–May 23 | 105 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 105 available after May 16. | Jun 1 |
| Watermelon | Apr 25 | May 16–May 23 | 105 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 105 available after May 16. | May 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 25 | May 23–May 30 | 112 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 112 available after May 23. | Jul 5 |
| Zinnias | Apr 11 | May 9–May 23 | 126 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 126 available after May 9. | Jun 30 |
Month by month in Saint Cloud
| 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 22), Spaghetti Squash (May 24), Tomato (May 27), Watermelon (May 27). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jun 1), Tomatillos (Jun 1), Eggplant (Jun 6), Corn (Jun 8), Sunflowers (Jun 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jun 25), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Jul 1), Nasturtiums (Jul 5), Okra (Jul 5), Yellow Squash (Jul 5), Zucchini (Jul 5), Cauliflower (Jul 6), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Collards (Aug 4), Scallions (Aug 4), Bok Choy (Aug 5), Lettuce (Aug 5), Kale (Aug 9), Kohlrabi (Aug 9), +4 more. |
| September | Direct sow from: Garlic (Sep 26). First frost around September 26. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 17). |
| 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 Saint Cloud, MN (ZIP 56303)?
The median last spring frost date for Saint Cloud, MN (ZIP code 56303) 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 27; one in ten it runs past May 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Saint Cloud, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Saint Cloud, MN is around September 26. 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 Saint Cloud, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Saint Cloud is about 140 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 Saint Cloud (140 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 Saint Cloud, MN?
Saint Cloud, 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 Saint Cloud, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 4 and plant out May 23 in Saint Cloud. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Saint Cloud?
Two: plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 3.
When do I plant garlic in Saint Cloud?
Sep 26 to Oct 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Saint Cloud (ZIP 56301) has 149 frost-free days, 9 more than Saint Cloud (ZIP 56303). See Saint Cloud ZIP 56301 frost dates
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