Franklin, MN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Franklin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Franklin falls between April 16 and May 14, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 21 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 72% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 8 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 158 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Minnetonka, MN, 119 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 21 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Franklin, MN
Franklin, MN frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 4, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Franklin, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 Redwood Falls Muni Ap, MN weather station, 15 km away (elevation 1,020 ft (311 m)).
Frost dates near Franklin
- Morton Apr 30 · Oct 4
- Fairfax Apr 30 · Oct 4
- Morgan May 4 · Oct 1
- Redwood Falls Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Clements May 4 · Oct 1
- Bird Island May 6 · Oct 1
- Olivia May 6 · Oct 1
- Hector May 6 · Oct 1
- Gibbon Apr 30 · Oct 4
- Sleepy Eye Apr 29 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Franklin, MN?
The median last spring frost in Franklin, MN is April 30. 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 Franklin, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 21.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, MN?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Franklin, MN?
Franklin, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.