Benson, MN frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season152 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Benson compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Benson falls between April 22 and May 17, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 1 day 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 4 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 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Saint Cloud, MN, 114 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 6 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 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 Benson, MN
Benson, MN frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 3, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Benson, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Benson, MN weather station, 3 km away (elevation 1,030 ft (314 m)).
Frost dates near Benson
- Clontarf May 4 · Oct 3
- Danvers May 4 · Oct 3
- Murdock May 4 · Oct 3
- Kerkhoven May 1 · Oct 6
- Holloway May 3 · Oct 2
- Hancock May 4 · Oct 1
- Sunburg May 4 · Oct 4
- Starbuck May 11 · Sep 27
- Milan May 3 · Oct 2
- Appleton May 3 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Benson, MN?
The median last spring frost in Benson, MN is May 4. 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 Benson, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Benson, MN?
About 152 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Benson, MN?
Benson, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.