Brownsville, MN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Brownsville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Brownsville falls between April 6 and May 5, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 13 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 178-day growing season is among the longest of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 11 days earlier than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 138 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with La Crosse, WI, 21 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 9 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 6 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Brownsville, MN
Brownsville, MN frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 17, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Brownsville, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Genoa Dam, WI weather station, 13 km away (elevation 640 ft (195 m)).
Frost dates near Brownsville
- Hokah Apr 15 · Oct 28
- Caledonia Apr 29 · Oct 10
- La Crescent Apr 15 · Oct 28
- Eitzen Apr 29 · Oct 10
- Houston May 8 · Oct 3
- Dakota Apr 15 · Oct 28
- Spring Grove May 10 · Sep 28
- Rushford May 8 · Oct 3
- Mabel May 10 · Sep 28
- Peterson May 8 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Brownsville, MN?
The median last spring frost in Brownsville, MN is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Brownsville, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Brownsville, MN?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Brownsville, MN?
Brownsville, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.