Clinton, MN frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season160 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Clinton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clinton falls between April 17 and May 14, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 22.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 160-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 7 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 163 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 Clinton, MN
Clinton, MN frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 8, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clinton, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Artichoke Lake 1 E, MN weather station, 24 km away (elevation 1,099 ft (335 m)).
Frost dates near Clinton
- Graceville May 1 · Oct 9
- Ortonville May 2 · Oct 4
- Barry May 9 · Sep 28
- Chokio May 1 · Oct 8
- Odessa May 1 · Oct 8
- Dumont May 1 · Oct 9
- Beardsley May 9 · Sep 28
- Correll May 1 · Oct 8
- Alberta May 4 · Oct 1
- Bellingham May 3 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clinton, MN?
The median last spring frost in Clinton, MN is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clinton, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Clinton, MN?
About 160 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clinton, MN?
Clinton, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.