Crystal, MN planting zone & frost dates
Crystal is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 29 and the first fall frost around October 12, for a growing season of about 163 days.
Planting calendar for Crystal
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 29) 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 4 – Mar 18 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: May 13 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: May 13 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 18 – Mar 4 Transplant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 18 – Apr 1 Transplant outdoors: May 6 – May 13 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 17 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 12).
Useful for zone 5a 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 | Apr 15 | Apr 29 | May 12 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 25 | Oct 12 | Sep 29 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 12, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 19.
Nearby cities
- Robbinsdale zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
- Golden Valley zone 5a, last frost Apr 29
- New Hope zone 5a, last frost Apr 29
- Brooklyn Center zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
- Brooklyn Park zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
- Saint Louis Park zone 5a, last frost Apr 29
- Columbia Heights zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- Plymouth zone 4b, last frost Apr 29
Questions
What growing zone is Crystal, MN?
Crystal is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5a (average extreme winter low -20°F to -15°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Crystal?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Crystal is April 29. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 12.
When can I plant tomatoes in Crystal?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 6 – May 13. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station New Hope, MN (USC00215838), 2.9 km (1.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 277 m, based on 27 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.