Bemidji, MN planting zone & frost dates
Bemidji is in USDA hardiness zone 3b. The last spring frost usually comes around May 17 and the first fall frost around September 26, for a growing season of about 131 days.
Planting calendar for Bemidji
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (May 17) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 Transplant outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: May 31 – Jun 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 19 – May 3 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Apr 5 – Apr 19 Transplant outdoors: May 24 – May 31 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 1 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Sep 26).
Useful for zone 3b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | May 3 | May 17 | May 30 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 11 | Sep 26 | Sep 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around May 7.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bemidji
- 56601 zone 3b
- 56619 zone 3b
Nearby cities
- Brainerd zone 4a, last frost May 8
- Grand Rapids zone 4a, last frost May 17
- Alexandria zone 4b, last frost May 2
- Fergus Falls zone 4a, last frost May 4
- Hibbing zone 3b, last frost Jun 5
- Sartell zone 4b, last frost May 7
- Moorhead zone 4a, last frost May 5
- Sauk Rapids zone 4b, last frost May 7
Questions
What growing zone is Bemidji, MN?
Bemidji is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 3b (average extreme winter low -35°F to -30°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Bemidji?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bemidji is May 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 30.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bemidji?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 24 – May 31. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Cass Lake, MN (USC00211374), 22.3 km (13.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 395 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.