Dakota, MN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season196 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Dakota compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dakota falls between March 31 and May 1, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 9.
- The median last frost is 20 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 196-day growing season is among the longest of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 18 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 125 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with La Crosse, WI, 16 km away, the last frost here is 12 days earlier than there and the growing season is 27 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 9 |
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 Dakota, MN
Dakota, MN frost dates — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 28, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dakota, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Sep 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 La Crescent Dam, MN weather station, 9 km away (elevation 646 ft (197 m)).
Frost dates near Dakota
- La Crescent Apr 15 · Oct 28
- Hokah Apr 15 · Oct 28
- Houston May 8 · Oct 3
- Homer Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Winona Apr 21 · Oct 19
- Brownsville Apr 22 · Oct 17
- Rushford May 8 · Oct 3
- Stockton Apr 23 · Oct 21
- Caledonia Apr 29 · Oct 10
- Minnesota City Apr 23 · Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dakota, MN?
The median last spring frost in Dakota, MN is April 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dakota, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Dakota, MN?
About 196 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dakota, MN?
Dakota, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.