Crane Lake, MN frost dates
Last spring frostJun 2median date
First fall frostSep 15median date
Growing season105 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Crane Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Crane Lake falls between May 19 and June 17, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between August 29 and October 1.
- The median last frost is 28 days later than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 105-day growing season is among the shortest of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 16 days later than the zone 3b median of May 17. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 3b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 215 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 19 |
| 50% (median) | June 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | August 29 |
| 50% (median) | September 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 1 |
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 Crane Lake, MN
Crane Lake, MN frost dates — last frost Jun 2, first frost Sep 15, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 5 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 21 to May 5Transplant outside: Jun 23 to Jul 7Sow outdoors: Jun 23 to Jul 7
Start indoors: Apr 21 to May 5Transplant outside: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 23 to Jul 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: May 5 to May 12Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 23Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Start indoors: May 5 to May 12Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 16Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 21
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 30
Sow outdoors: Jun 9 to Jun 23
Transplant outside: Jun 16 to Jul 7
Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Oct 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Crane Lake, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 12 – May 26 | May 5 – Jun 9 | Jul 21 – Aug 18 |
| Kale | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Broccoli | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Cabbage | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Cauliflower | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Okra | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | Jun 23 – Jul 7 | — |
| Basil | Apr 21 – May 5 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Jun 23 – Jul 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 28 – Jun 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Cucumbers | May 5 – May 12 | Jun 16 – Jun 23 | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | May 5 – May 12 | — | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins Warning: Your frost-free season is about 105 days, which is tight for winter squash & pumpkins (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | May 5 – May 12 | — | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | May 5 – May 12 | Jun 16 – Jun 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 12 – Jun 9 | — |
| Beets | — | — | May 12 – Jun 9 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 19 – Jun 16 | Jul 7 – Jul 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 21 – Aug 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Jun 9 – Jun 30 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Jun 9 – Jun 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes Warning: Your frost-free season is about 105 days, which is tight for sweet potatoes (100+ days). Choose early varieties and use transplants or row covers. | — | Jun 16 – Jul 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
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 Orr 3e, MN weather station, 31 km away (elevation 1,316 ft (401 m)).
Frost dates near Crane Lake
- Orr Jun 2 · Sep 15
- Nett Lake Jun 2 · Sep 15
- Cook May 12 · Oct 1
- Soudan frost any month
- Tower frost any month
- Angora May 12 · Oct 1
- Ely May 14 · Sep 29
- Winton May 14 · Sep 29
- Britt May 12 · Oct 1
- Embarrass frost any month
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Crane Lake, MN?
The median last spring frost in Crane Lake, MN is June 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Crane Lake, MN?
The median first fall frost is September 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before August 29.
How long is the growing season in Crane Lake, MN?
About 105 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Crane Lake, MN?
Crane Lake, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.