Lester Prairie, MN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season163 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Lester Prairie compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lester Prairie falls between April 15 and May 10, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 163-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 162 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Minnetonka, MN, 45 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 11 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Lester Prairie, MN
Lester Prairie, MN frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 8, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lester Prairie, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| 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 Hutchinson 1 N, MN weather station, 25 km away (elevation 1,096 ft (334 m)).
Frost dates near Lester Prairie
- New Germany Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Winsted Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Plato Apr 30 · Oct 4
- Silver Lake Apr 28 · Oct 8
- Glencoe Apr 30 · Oct 4
- Mayer Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Norwood Young America May 5 · Oct 5
- Hamburg May 2 · Oct 5
- Watertown Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Norwood May 5 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lester Prairie, MN?
The median last spring frost in Lester Prairie, MN is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lester Prairie, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Lester Prairie, MN?
About 163 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lester Prairie, MN?
Lester Prairie, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.