When is the last frost in Minneapolis, MN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Minneapolis is around April 23, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lower St Anthony Falls, MN station (1.2 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 Minneapolis?

The average first fall frost in Minneapolis, MN is around October 16, giving roughly a 175-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Minneapolis, MN?

Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, MN the warmest month is July (avg high 81.4°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 5.5°F). It averages about 32.7″ of precipitation a year and 40.4″ of snow.

Home › Minnesota › Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 5a · ZIP 55401 · elevation 296′ · NOAA & USDA data

Minneapolis is in USDA hardiness zone 5a (winters can dip to -20 to -15°F), with a growing season of about 175 days between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 16). The warmest month is July (avg high 81.4°F); the coldest is January (avg low 5.5°F). It averages 32.7″ of precipitation a year and 40.4″ 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 23

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 16

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

175 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 81.4°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Minneapolis

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at U Of Mn St Paul, MN (4.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	21.2	5.5	13.3	0.7	8.3
February	26.5	9.4	17.9	0.8	12.3
March	39.4	22.3	30.9	1.6	4
April	54.7	35.6	45.2	3	2.1
May	67.1	48.2	57.7	4.2	0
June	77.2	58.5	67.9	4.6	0
July	81.4	62.8	72.1	4.6	0
August	79.1	60.5	69.8	4.5	0
September	71.3	52.2	61.8	3.3	0
October	57.3	38.9	48.1	2.9	0.5
November	40.1	25.2	32.6	1.5	3
December	26.4	12.5	19.5	1.1	10.2

What to plant when in Minneapolis

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 12 · Transplant out: April 30
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 26 · Transplant out: May 7
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 30
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 30
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 19 · Sow (fall): August 21
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 12 · Sow (fall): August 21
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): August 21
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 7
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 9
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 2 · Sow (fall): August 7
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 26
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 9
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 26 · Sow (fall): September 4

Dates are computed from Minneapolis'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.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

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

St. Paul, MN Eden Prairie, MN Minnetonka, MN Burnsville, MN Shakopee, MN Lakeville, MN St. Cloud, MN Mankato, 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 — Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, 1.2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: U Of Mn St Paul, MN, 4.4 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.