Minneapolis, MN planting zone & frost dates
Minneapolis is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 23 and the first fall frost around October 16, for a growing season of about 175 days.
Planting calendar for Minneapolis
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 23) 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: Feb 26 – Mar 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: May 7 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: May 7 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 21 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 16).
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 10 | Apr 23 | May 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 30 | Oct 16 | Oct 2 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 2. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 14.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Minneapolis
- 55401 zone 5a
- 55403 zone 5a
- 55404 zone 5a
- 55405 zone 5a
- 55406 zone 5a
- 55407 zone 5a
- 55408 zone 5a
- 55409 zone 5a
- 55410 zone 5a
- 55411 zone 5a
- 55412 zone 5a
- 55413 zone 5a
- 55414 zone 5a
- 55415 zone 5a
- 55416 zone 5a
- 55417 zone 5a
- 55418 zone 5a
- 55419 zone 5a
- 55420 zone 5a
- 55421 zone 5a
- 55422 zone 5a
- 55423 zone 5a
- 55424 zone 5a
- 55425 zone 5a
- 55426 zone 5a
- 55427 zone 5a
- 55428 zone 5a
- 55429 zone 5a
- 55430 zone 5a
- 55431 zone 5a
- 55432 zone 5a
- 55433 zone 5a
- 55434 zone 5a
- 55435 zone 5a
- 55436 zone 5a
- 55437 zone 5a
- 55438 zone 5a
- 55439 zone 5a
- 55440 zone 5a
- 55441 zone 5a
- 55442 zone 5a
- 55443 zone 5a
- 55444 zone 5a
- 55445 zone 5a
- 55446 zone 5a
- 55447 zone 5a
- 55448 zone 5a
- 55449 zone 5a
- 55450 zone 5a
- 55454 zone 5a
- 55455 zone 5a
- 55458 zone 5a
- 55459 zone 5a
- 55467 zone 5a
- 55470 zone 5a
- 55472 zone 5a
- 55474 zone 5a
- 55478 zone 5a
- 55479 zone 5a
- 55480 zone 5a
- 55483 zone 5a
- 55484 zone 5a
- 55485 zone 5a
- 55486 zone 5a
- 55487 zone 5a
- 55488 zone 5a
Nearby cities
- Longfellow Community zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- Columbia Heights zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- Saint Louis Park zone 5a, last frost Apr 29
- Golden Valley zone 5a, last frost Apr 29
- Robbinsdale zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
- Richfield zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- New Brighton zone 5a, last frost Apr 28
- Fridley zone 5a, last frost Apr 30
Questions
What growing zone is Minneapolis, MN?
Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Minneapolis is April 23. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Minneapolis?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 30 – May 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN (USC00214884), 1.3 km (0.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 230 m, based on 25 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.