When is the last frost in Mankato, MN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Mankato is around April 30, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Mankato, MN station (2.8 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Mankato?

The average first fall frost in Mankato, MN is around October 9, giving roughly a 161-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Mankato, MN?

Mankato is in USDA plant hardiness zone 5a (average annual extreme minimum temperature -20 to -15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Mankato?

In Mankato, MN the warmest month is July (avg high 81.9°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 5.7°F). It averages about 33.9″ of precipitation a year and 38.7″ of snow.

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Mankato, MN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5a · ZIP 56001 · elevation 259′ · NOAA & USDA data

Mankato is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (winters can dip to -20 to -15°F), with a growing season of about 161 days between the average last spring frost (April 30) and first fall frost (October 9). The warmest month is July (avg high 81.9°F); the coldest is January (avg low 5.7°F). It averages 33.9″ of precipitation a year and 38.7″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp -20 to -15°F

Last spring frost

April 30

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

161 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 81.9°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Mankato

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Mankato, MN (2.8 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	23.7	5.7	14.7	1	8.2
February	28.6	9.4	19	0.8	6.9
March	40.9	21.9	31.4	1.9	7.4
April	56.5	33.9	45.2	3.3	1.6
May	69.2	47	58.1	4.2	0
June	78.8	57.7	68.2	5.6	0
July	81.9	61.7	71.8	4.3	0
August	79.5	59.4	69.5	4.3	0
September	73.6	50.1	61.9	3.3	0
October	59.8	37.4	48.6	2.4	0.1
November	43.4	24.7	34.1	1.7	5.9
December	28.6	12.7	20.6	1.1	8.6

What to plant when in Mankato

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 19 · Transplant out: May 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 5 · Transplant out: May 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): August 14
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 19 · Sow (fall): August 14
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 14
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 9 · Sow (fall): July 31
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 16
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 9 · Sow (fall): July 31
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 2
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 16
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 28

Dates are computed from Mankato's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Minnesota

Shakopee, MN Lakeville, MN Burnsville, MN Eden Prairie, MN Minnetonka, MN Minneapolis, MN St. Paul, MN Rochester, MN

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Mankato, MN, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Mankato, MN, 2.8 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.