When is the last frost in Rochester, MN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Rochester is around May 12, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Byron 4north, MN station (7.2 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 Rochester?

The average first fall frost in Rochester, MN is around September 28, giving roughly a 139-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Rochester, MN?

Rochester is in USDA plant hardiness zone 4b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -25 to -20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Rochester?

In Rochester, MN the warmest month is July (avg high 81.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 3.5°F). It averages about 36″ of precipitation a year and 44.4″ of snow.

Home › Minnesota › Rochester

Rochester, MN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 4b · ZIP 55901 · elevation 317′ · NOAA & USDA data

Rochester is in USDA hardiness zone 4b (winters can dip to -25 to -20°F), with a growing season of about 139 days between the average last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (September 28). The warmest month is July (avg high 81.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 3.5°F). It averages 36″ of precipitation a year and 44.4″ 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 -25 to -20°F

Last spring frost

May 12

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

September 28

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

139 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 81.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Rochester

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Byron 4north, MN (7.1 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	22.6	3.5	13	1	8.8
February	27.4	6.1	16.8	1.1	9.6
March	40.2	19.7	30	2.1	8.8
April	55	31.5	43.3	3.6	1.2
May	67.6	43.8	55.7	4.3	0.6
June	77.9	54.5	66.2	5.3	0
July	81.2	58.1	69.7	4.6	0
August	79.1	55.3	67.2	4.8	0
September	72	46.8	59.4	3.5	0
October	58.2	33.5	45.9	2.4	0.1
November	41.9	22.8	32.3	1.9	2.8
December	28.3	11.1	19.7	1.3	12.5

What to plant when in Rochester

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 31 · Transplant out: May 19
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: March 17 · Transplant out: May 26
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: May 19
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: May 19
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: May 19
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: May 19
Basil	warm	Transplant out: May 19
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): April 7 · Sow (fall): August 3
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): March 31 · Sow (fall): August 3
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): August 3
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): April 21 · Sow (fall): July 20
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): April 28
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): April 21 · Sow (fall): July 20
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): April 14
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: April 28
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): April 14 · Sow (fall): August 17

Dates are computed from Rochester'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

Lakeville, MN Burnsville, MN St. Paul, MN Shakopee, MN Eden Prairie, MN Minneapolis, MN Mankato, MN Minnetonka, 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 — Byron 4north, MN, 7.2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Byron 4north, MN, 7.1 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.