When to Plant in Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis-St. Paul sits in Zone 5a/5b with a typical last frost around April 30. The Twin Cities have one of the shorter growing seasons of any major US metropolitan area — roughly 150 frost-free days — but abundant community gardens, excellent farmers markets, and a dedicated gardening culture.

Long summer days (up to 16 hours of daylight in June) help compensate for the short season. Minneapolis gardeners focus on season extension, short-season varieties, and maximizing every frost-free day from May through mid-September.

What to plant now in Minneapolis

Spring: Cold-hardy crops in April; warm-season crops after April 30 last frost.
Summer: Full warm-season garden. Long days promote rapid growth.
Fall: Quick-maturing cool-season crops — lettuce, spinach, radishes for early fall harvest.
Winter: Garlic planted in fall. Indoor seed starting begins in late March.

In Minneapolis (158 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

Month by month in Minneapolis

Month	What to do
January	Order seeds. Research short-season varieties. Plan garden layout.
February	Start onion and leek seeds indoors.
March	Start tomato, pepper, and eggplant seeds indoors (6–8 weeks before May 10).
April	Direct sow peas, spinach, and lettuce outdoors. Transplant brassicas with protection.
May	After April 30 last frost — transplant all warm-season crops.
June	Full summer garden. Long daylight hours boost growth.
July	Harvest and maintain. Start fall crop seeds.
August	Direct sow quick fall crops: lettuce, spinach, radishes.
September	Harvest fall crops before first frost around October 5.
October	Hard frosts. Harvest remaining crops. Plant garlic.
November	Clean up beds. Plan next year.
December	Rest season. Order seed catalogs.

Frost dates for Minneapolis ZIP codes

ZIP	Last spring frost (50%)	First fall frost (50%)	Zone
55407	April 30	October 5	5a
55416	April 30	October 5	5a
55432	April 30	October 5	5a
55418	April 30	October 5	5a
55427	May 1	October 2	5a
55409	April 30	October 5	5a
55424	April 30	October 2	5a

FAQ

When is the last frost date in Minneapolis, MN?

Minneapolis's average last frost date is around April 30. Start warm-season seeds indoors in late March and don't transplant outdoors until after early May.

When is the first fall frost in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis's first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — giving about 135–140 frost-free days. Choose short-season tomato varieties (under 70 days) for reliable harvests.

What vegetables grow well in Minneapolis?

Cool-season crops excel: peas, lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, carrots, and beets. Warm-season crops like tomatoes, beans, and squash do well with variety selection and indoor starting.

What's the secret to gardening in Minneapolis's short season?

Start seeds early indoors, use cold frames or row covers to extend spring and fall, and choose short-season varieties. Select tomatoes with 65–75 day maturity for reliable harvest.

How does Plan My Garden help Minneapolis gardeners?

Enter your Minneapolis zip code for exact planting dates built around the Twin Cities' short but productive growing season.