Frost Dates for Stillwater, MN 55082
Last spring frost April 29 · First fall frost October 6 · 160 frost-free days · USDA Zone 4b
ZIP 55082 has about 36,300 people.
Moderate season: 160 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 15–May 13 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 22–October 18 (26 days).
Frost probability for 55082
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 29 | April 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 22 | October 6 | October 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ST PAUL (20.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 160-day season in Stillwater
In Stillwater (160 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 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 18 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 8. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 13. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 4–May 13 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 4. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 4–Apr 22 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 1. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 1. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 265 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 25–May 20 | 216 | 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 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 6. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 15 | May 13–May 13 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 18 | Apr 22–May 6 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 22. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 1. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Apr 1 | May 6–May 13 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Mar 25 | May 20–May 20 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 20. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 1–Apr 22 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 6. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 18 | May 6–May 20 | 160 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 160 available after May 6. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 4–May 27 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after May 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 4 | May 6–May 13 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 6. | — |
| Sage | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after May 6. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 18 | May 6–May 13 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 6. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 4 | Apr 29–May 13 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 18 | Apr 29–May 6 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 6–May 20 | 139 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 139 available after May 6. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 125 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 125 available after May 13. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 29–May 13 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 29. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 4 | May 6–May 13 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 6. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 15 | May 6–May 13 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 6. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 15 | May 13–May 20 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 13 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Stillwater
| 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 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| 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 Stillwater, MN (ZIP 55082)?
The median last spring frost date for Stillwater, MN (ZIP code 55082) 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 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Stillwater, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Stillwater, MN is around October 6. 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Stillwater, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Stillwater is about 160 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 Stillwater (160 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 Stillwater, MN?
Stillwater, 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 Stillwater, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 25 and plant out May 13 in Stillwater. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Stillwater?
Two: plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Stillwater?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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