Frost Dates for Saint Francis, MN 55070
Last spring frost May 11 · First fall frost September 25 · 137 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 55070 has about 8,440 people.
Moderate season: 137 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 25–May 29 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans September 14–October 6 (22 days).
Frost probability for 55070
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 29 | May 11 | April 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 14 | September 25 | October 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CEDAR (12.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 137-day season in Saint Francis
In Saint Francis (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 1 | 95 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 95 available after May 25. | May 26 |
| Pepper | Mar 30 | May 25–Jun 1 | 95 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 95 available after May 25. | May 31 |
| Lettuce | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 20. | Jul 24 |
| Cucumber | Apr 20 | May 25–Jun 1 | 109 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 109 available after May 25. | Jun 29 |
| Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 18. | Jul 6 |
| Peas | — | Mar 16–May 25 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 16. | Jul 15 |
| Zucchini | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 25. | Jul 4 |
| Onion | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 172 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 16–May 4 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Kale | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 13. | Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 13. | Jul 24 |
| Radish | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 27–May 4 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Sep 25 | 242 | overwinter: Plant Sep 25 to Oct 16; harvest the following summer. | Oct 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 6–Jun 1 | 193 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 109 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 109 available after May 18. | Jun 7 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 27 | May 25–May 25 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after May 25. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 30 | May 4–May 18 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 4. | Jul 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 16 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 13. | Jun 24 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 102 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 102 available after May 25. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 23 | May 25–Jun 1 | 95 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 95 available after May 25. | Jun 5 |
| Okra | Apr 13 | May 18–May 25 | 116 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jul 4 |
| Basil | Apr 6 | Jun 1–Jun 1 | 102 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 102 available after Jun 1. | Jun 29 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 13–May 4 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Parsley | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 137 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 137 available after May 18. | Jul 10 |
| Celery | Mar 2 | May 18–Jun 1 | 137 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 137 available after May 18. | May 21 |
| Scallions | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 8 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2. | Aug 4 |
| Collards | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after May 25. | — |
| Chives | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 18. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 16–Jun 8 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 25 |
| Oregano | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after May 18. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 16 | May 18–May 25 | 137 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 137 available after May 18. | — |
| Sage | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after May 18. | — |
| Thyme | Mar 2 | May 18–May 25 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 18. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 2. | Jul 30 |
| Cosmos | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 29 |
| Lavender | Feb 16 | May 11–May 25 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 11. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 30 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 11. | Jul 9 |
| Melons | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 95 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 95 available after May 25. | — |
| Mint | — | May 11–May 25 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after May 11. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 123 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jul 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 18–Jun 1 | 116 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 116 available after May 18. | Jun 24 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 102 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 102 available after May 25. | — |
| Sunflowers | — | May 11–May 25 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 19 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 16 | May 18–May 25 | 102 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 102 available after May 18. | May 31 |
| Watermelon | Apr 27 | May 18–May 25 | 102 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 102 available after May 18. | May 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 27 | May 25–Jun 1 | 109 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 109 available after May 25. | Jul 4 |
| Zinnias | Apr 13 | May 11–May 25 | 123 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 123 available after May 11. | Jun 29 |
Month by month in Saint Francis
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 16), Lavender (Feb 16), Onion (Feb 16), Rosemary (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Celery (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Oregano (Mar 2), Parsley (Mar 2), Scallions (Mar 2), +13 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 16), Beets (Mar 16), Dill (Mar 16), Peas (Mar 16), Radish (Mar 16), Spinach (Mar 16), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 6), Tomato (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Corn (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 13), Nasturtiums (Apr 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 13), Turnip (Apr 13), Carrots (Apr 20), Potatoes (Apr 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 13), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 13), Cabbage (Apr 13), Collards (Apr 13), Kale (Apr 13), Lettuce (Apr 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 6). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 11), Beans (May 18), Pole Beans (May 18). Transplant from: Bok Choy (May 4), Cauliflower (May 4), Cosmos (May 11), Lavender (May 11), Marigolds (May 11), Mint (May 11), +24 more. Last frost around May 11. Last sowing dates: Celery (May 21), Tomato (May 26), Watermelon (May 26), Pepper (May 31), Tomatillos (May 31). |
| June | Transplant from: Basil (Jun 1). 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 Saint Francis, MN (ZIP 55070)?
The median last spring frost date for Saint Francis, MN (ZIP code 55070) is around May 11. 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 29.
What is the first fall frost date in Saint Francis, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Saint Francis, 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 Saint Francis, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Saint Francis is about 137 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 Francis (137 frost-free days, a moderate season), 39 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 16 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Saint Francis, MN?
Saint Francis, 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 Francis, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 6 and plant out May 25 in Saint Francis. 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 Francis?
Two: plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 2.
When do I plant garlic in Saint Francis?
Sep 25 to Oct 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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