Minneapolis Frost Dates
Minneapolis, MN · USDA Zone 4b
Median (50 percent probability) dates of the last spring and first fall 32°F freeze at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, from NOAA 1991-2020 US Climate Normals (station USW00014922).
Minneapolis is in USDA Zone 4b. Plan tender crops around the average last frost (~April) and wrap up before the first fall frost (~October).
Minneapolis planting calendar
| Crop | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Peppers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cucumbers | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Lettuce | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Zucchini | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Carrots | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beans (bush) | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Peas | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Broccoli | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Spinach | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Kale | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Onions | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Garlic | ||||||||||||
| Potatoes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Squash (winter) | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Corn | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Radishes | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Beets | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Eggplant | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Basil | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Cilantro | ● | ● | ||||||||||
| Parsley | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Pumpkins | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sunflowers | ● | ● |
Fall planting in Minneapolis
The Minneapolis average first frost is around October 18, which is what sets the fall deadlines below. Each crop needs its days to maturity plus about two weeks for the slower growth of shortening days, minus whatever it can take once light frost arrives.
| Crop | Sow by | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Radishes | Sep 27 | Oct 25 |
| Cilantro | Sep 3 | Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sep 2 | Nov 1 |
| Beets | Aug 31 | Oct 25 |
| Lettuce | Aug 29 | Oct 18 |
| Carrots | Aug 23 | Nov 1 |
| Broccoli | Aug 21 | Oct 25 |
| Peas | Aug 19 | Oct 18 |
| Zucchini | Jul 27 | Sep 20 |
| Beans (bush) | Jul 27 | Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Jul 22 | Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | Jul 16 | Oct 14 |
| Tomatoes | Jul 7 | Sep 20 |
| Peppers | Jul 2 | Sep 20 |
Planted in fall to overwinter in Minneapolis: garlic ( Oct 18 to Nov 15) , onions ( Sep 6 to Sep 27) , spinach ( Sep 6 to Sep 20) , parsley ( Sep 6 to Sep 20) . See when to plant garlic and the fall planting calendar by zone.
Planning around Minneapolis's frost dates
- What to plant in October by zone
The October sowing and planting list for Minneapolis.
- What to plant in November by zone
What still goes in the ground in November in Minneapolis.
- Cold frame gardening by zone
How many weeks a cold frame adds to the Minneapolis season, and what to grow in it.
- October garden checklist
The jobs to finish before the first hard freeze in Minneapolis.
- Houseplants for low light
Something to grow while the Minneapolis garden is frozen.
More frost dates
Other cities: New York, NY , Los Angeles, CA , Chicago, IL , Houston, TX , Phoenix, AZ , Philadelphia, PA , Atlanta, GA , Dallas, TX , Denver, CO , Seattle, WA , Miami, FL .
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Minneapolis?
On average, around April.
What planting zone is Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis is in USDA hardiness Zone 4b.
When is the first frost in Minneapolis?
On average, around October 18. That is a 50 percent probability from the 1991-2020 NOAA normals, so half of all years see a freeze before it.
What can I plant in the fall in Minneapolis?
radishes (sow by Sep 27), cilantro (sow by Sep 3), kale (sow by Sep 2), beets (sow by Aug 31), lettuce (sow by Aug 29), carrots (sow by Aug 23). Each date is counted back from the Minneapolis first frost around October 18.