Frost Dates for Winona, MN 55987
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 4 · 160 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5a
ZIP 55987 has about 34,100 people.
Moderate season: 160 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 13 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 20–October 19 (29 days).
Frost probability for 55987
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 13 | April 27 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 20 | October 4 | October 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TREMPEALEAU DAM 6 (15.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 160-day season in Winona
In Winona (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 23 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | Jun 4 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | Jun 9 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 6. | Aug 2 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 11. | Jul 8 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 27. | Jul 15 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 223 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 2. | Jul 24 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 195 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 195 available after Mar 30. | Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 30. | Aug 2 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Oct 11. | Sep 2 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 4 | 265 | overwinter: Plant Oct 4 to Oct 25; harvest the following summer. | Oct 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 216 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after May 4. | Jun 16 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 11. | May 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 20. | Jul 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 30. | Jul 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 125 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 125 available after May 11. | May 22 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | Jun 14 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 18. | Jul 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 195 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 160 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 160 available after May 4. | Jul 19 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 160 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 160 available after May 4. | May 30 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 13 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | May 30 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 3 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 174 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 174 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 160 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 160 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 174 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 174 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 11. | Aug 8 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 18 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 118 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 118 available after May 11. | May 30 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 139 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 139 available after May 4. | Jul 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 125 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 125 available after May 11. | Jun 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 27. | Jun 28 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 4. | Jun 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 13; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 13 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 8; both mature before Sep 20. | Jul 8 |
Month by month in Winona
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 2), Lavender (Feb 2), Onion (Feb 2), Rosemary (Feb 2), Celery (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), Sage (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 2), Beets (Mar 2), Dill (Mar 2), Peas (Mar 2), Radish (Mar 2), Spinach (Mar 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 30), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 30), Cabbage (Mar 30), Collards (Mar 30), Kale (Mar 30), Lettuce (Mar 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 6), Butternut Squash (Apr 13), Cantaloupe (Apr 13), Melons (Apr 13), Pumpkin (Apr 13), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 6), Potatoes (Apr 13), Sunflowers (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 13), Swiss Chard (Apr 13), Bok Choy (Apr 20), Cauliflower (Apr 20), Cosmos (Apr 27), Lavender (Apr 27), +4 more. Last frost around April 27. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 4), Pole Beans (May 4). Transplant from: Celery (May 4), Chives (May 4), Corn (May 4), Okra (May 4), Oregano (May 4), Parsley (May 4), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 22), Pumpkin (May 22), Cantaloupe (May 30), Celery (May 30), Melons (May 30). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jun 1), Tomato (Jun 4), Watermelon (Jun 4), Pepper (Jun 9), Tomatillos (Jun 9), Eggplant (Jun 14), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 3), Pole Beans (Jul 3), Basil (Jul 8), Cosmos (Jul 8), Cucumber (Jul 8), Zinnias (Jul 8), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 2), Carrots (Aug 2), Beets (Aug 3), Dill (Aug 3), Swiss Chard (Aug 3), Calendula (Aug 8), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 1), Spinach (Sep 1), Radish (Sep 2). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 4). First frost around October 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 25). |
| 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 Winona, MN (ZIP 55987)?
The median last spring frost date for Winona, MN (ZIP code 55987) is around April 27. 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 12; one in ten it runs past May 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Winona, MN?
The median first fall frost date for Winona, MN is around October 4. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Winona, MN?
The frost-free growing season in Winona 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 Winona (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 Winona, MN?
Winona, 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 Winona, MN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in Winona. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Winona?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 11.
When do I plant garlic in Winona?
Oct 4 to Oct 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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