Frost Dates for Saint Paul, MN 55127

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 55127 has about 18,100 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 55127

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)May 12April 29April 15
Fall (first frost)September 21October 5October 20

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST PAUL (15.9 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.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 25May 13–May 20117fits: 80 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13.Jun 5
PepperMar 18May 13–May 20117fits: 75 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13.Jun 10
LettuceMar 4Apr 1–Apr 8194two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 14
Carrots—Apr 8–Apr 15201fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 8.Aug 3
CucumberApr 8May 13–May 20131fits: 60 days to maturity, 131 available after May 13.Jul 9
Beans—May 6–May 20145two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 28.Jul 16
Peas—Mar 4–May 13222fits: 65 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 4.Jul 25
ZucchiniApr 15May 13–May 20131two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 14
OnionFeb 4Apr 1–Apr 15194fits: 100 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 1.—
Spinach—Mar 4–Apr 22236two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26.Sep 2
KaleFeb 18Apr 1–Apr 15208two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
BroccoliMar 4Apr 1–Apr 15194fits: 80 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 1.Jul 10
CabbageMar 4Apr 1–Apr 15208fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1.Aug 3
Radish—Mar 4–May 27222two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 12.Sep 3
Beets—Mar 4–May 27222two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
Potatoes—Apr 15–Apr 22180fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 15.—
Garlic—Oct 5264overwinter: Plant Oct 5 to Oct 26; harvest the following summer.Oct 26
Strawberry—Mar 25–May 20215perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornApr 1May 6–May 13131fits: 75 days to maturity, 131 available after May 6.Jun 17
PumpkinApr 15May 13–May 13124fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13.May 23
CauliflowerMar 18Apr 22–May 6173fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 22.Jul 15
Swiss ChardMar 4Apr 15–Apr 15180two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
Arugula—Mar 4–May 27236two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 26.Sep 2
Brussel SproutsMar 4Apr 1–Apr 15208fits: 100 days to maturity, 208 available after Apr 1.Jul 4
Butternut SquashApr 15May 13–May 20124fits: 100 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13.May 23
EggplantMar 11May 13–May 20117fits: 70 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13.Jun 15
OkraApr 1May 6–May 13138two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 14
BasilMar 25May 20–May 20124fits: 60 days to maturity, 124 available after May 20.Jul 9
Cilantro—Apr 1–Apr 22194two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 9
ParsleyFeb 18May 6–May 13159fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after May 6.Jul 20
CeleryFeb 18May 6–May 20159fits: 120 days to maturity, 159 available after May 6.May 31
ScallionsFeb 18Apr 1–Apr 15208two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
Turnip—Apr 1–Apr 15208two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 23
Kohlrabi—Mar 18–Apr 1222two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
Bok ChoyApr 1Apr 22–Apr 29173two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 14
CollardsFeb 18Apr 1–Apr 15208two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
CantaloupeApr 15May 13–May 20117fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13.May 31
ChivesFeb 4May 6–May 13173fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6.—
Dill—Mar 4–May 27222two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
OreganoFeb 18May 6–May 13173fits: 80 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6.—
RosemaryFeb 4May 6–May 13159fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after May 6.—
SageMar 4May 6–May 13173fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6.—
ThymeFeb 18May 6–May 13173fits: 90 days to maturity, 173 available after May 6.—
CalendulaMar 18Apr 15–Apr 29180two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 9
CosmosApr 1Apr 29–May 13145two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 9
LavenderFeb 4Apr 29–May 13180fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29.—
MarigoldsMar 18Apr 29–May 6145two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 19
MelonsApr 15May 13–May 20117fits: 85 days to maturity, 117 available after May 13.May 31
Mint—Apr 29–May 13180fits: 90 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 29.—
NasturtiumsApr 1Apr 29–May 6145two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 14
Pole Beans—May 6–May 20138fits: 65 days to maturity, 138 available after May 6.Jul 4
Spaghetti SquashApr 15May 13–May 20124fits: 90 days to maturity, 124 available after May 13.Jun 2
Sunflowers—Apr 29–May 13145fits: 70 days to maturity, 145 available after Apr 29.Jun 29
TomatillosMar 4May 6–May 13124fits: 75 days to maturity, 124 available after May 6.Jun 10
WatermelonApr 15May 6–May 13124fits: 80 days to maturity, 124 available after May 6.Jun 5
Yellow SquashApr 15May 13–May 20131two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 14
ZinniasApr 1Apr 29–May 13145two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 9; both mature before Sep 21.Jul 9

Month by month in Saint Paul

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryPlan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates.
FebruaryStart indoors: Chives (Feb 4), Lavender (Feb 4), Onion (Feb 4), Rosemary (Feb 4), Celery (Feb 18), Collards (Feb 18), +5 more.
MarchStart 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).
AprilStart 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.
MayDirect 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).
JuneLast sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 2), Tomato (Jun 5), Watermelon (Jun 5), Pepper (Jun 10), Tomatillos (Jun 10), Eggplant (Jun 15), +2 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 4), Pole Beans (Jul 4), Basil (Jul 9), Cosmos (Jul 9), Cucumber (Jul 9), Zinnias (Jul 9), +10 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 3), Carrots (Aug 3), Beets (Aug 4), Dill (Aug 4), Swiss Chard (Aug 4), Calendula (Aug 9), +8 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 2), Spinach (Sep 2), Radish (Sep 3).
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 5). First frost around October 5. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 26).
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 Saint Paul, MN (ZIP 55127)?

The median last spring frost date for Saint Paul, MN (ZIP code 55127) 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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