Frost Dates for Saint Paul, MN 55109
Saint Paul has 31 ZIP codes. The Saint Paul, MN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 5 · 159 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 55109 has about 33,500 people, one of 31 ZIP codes in Saint Paul.
Moderate season: 159 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 12 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 20 (29 days).
Frost probability for 55109
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 29 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 5 | October 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST PAUL (7.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 159-day season in Saint Paul
In Saint Paul (159 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 25 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | Jun 5 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | Jun 10 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 8. | Aug 3 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13. | Jul 9 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28. | Jul 16 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 222 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 4. | Jul 25 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 194 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 194 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 1. | Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | Aug 3 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12. | Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 5 | 264 | overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer. | Oct 26 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 215 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 131 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 6. | Jun 17 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | May 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 22. | Jul 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1. | Jul 4 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 124 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | May 23 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | Jun 15 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 138 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 124 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20. | Jul 9 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 6. | Jul 20 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 159 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 6. | May 31 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 14 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | May 31 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 173 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 173 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 19 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 117 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13. | May 31 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 180 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 138 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6. | Jul 4 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 124 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13. | Jun 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 145 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 29. | Jun 29 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 124 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 6. | Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 124 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 6. | Jun 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 131 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 14 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 145 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21. | Jul 9 |
Month by month in Saint Paul
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), Sage (Mar 4), Swiss Chard (Mar 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 4), Beets (Mar 4), Dill (Mar 4), Peas (Mar 4), Radish (Mar 4), Spinach (Mar 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 25). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Corn (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Okra (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 1), Turnip (Apr 1), Carrots (Apr 8), Potatoes (Apr 15), Sunflowers (Apr 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 1), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 1), Cabbage (Apr 1), Collards (Apr 1), Kale (Apr 1), Lettuce (Apr 1), +12 more. Last frost around April 29. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 6), Pole Beans (May 6). Transplant from: Celery (May 6), Chives (May 6), Corn (May 6), Okra (May 6), Oregano (May 6), Parsley (May 6), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 23), Pumpkin (May 23), Cantaloupe (May 31), Celery (May 31), Melons (May 31). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26). |
| 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 Saint Paul, MN (ZIP 55109)?
The median last spring frost date for Saint Paul, MN (ZIP code 55109) is around April 29. 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 15; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Saint Paul, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Saint Paul, MN is around October 5. 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 Saint Paul, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Saint Paul is about 159 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 Paul (159 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 Saint Paul, MN?
Saint Paul, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (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 Paul, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Saint Paul. 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 Paul?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.
When do I plant garlic in Saint Paul?
Oct 5 to Oct 26; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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