Appleton, MN frost dates
Last spring frostMay 3median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season152 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Appleton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Appleton falls between April 20 and May 17, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 18 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 152-day growing season is longer than 51% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 20 |
| 50% (median) | May 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Appleton, MN
Appleton, MN frost dates — last frost May 3, first frost Oct 2, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Transplant outside: May 17 to Jun 7
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Appleton, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Apr 5 – May 10 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Basil | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 29 – May 10 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | May 17 – May 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 19 – May 17 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 17 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Milan 1nw, MN weather station, 11 km away (elevation 1,020 ft (311 m)).
Frost dates near Appleton
- Holloway May 3 · Oct 2
- Milan May 3 · Oct 2
- Correll May 1 · Oct 8
- Watson May 3 · Oct 2
- Danvers May 4 · Oct 3
- Bellingham May 3 · Oct 2
- Odessa May 1 · Oct 8
- Madison May 3 · Oct 2
- Dawson May 3 · Oct 2
- Clontarf May 4 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Appleton, MN?
The median last spring frost in Appleton, MN is May 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Appleton, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 18.
How long is the growing season in Appleton, MN?
About 152 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Appleton, MN?
Appleton, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.