Litchfield, MN frost dates
Last spring frostMay 6median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season149 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Litchfield compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Litchfield falls between April 23 and May 22, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 149-day growing season is longer than 41% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 4b, where the median is May 8.
- The weather station records an average of 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Saint Cloud, MN, 56 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 23 |
| 50% (median) | May 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
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 Litchfield, MN
Litchfield, MN frost dates — last frost May 6, first frost Oct 2, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 27 to Jun 10Sow outdoors: May 27 to Jun 10
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Apr 8 to Apr 15Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 13 to Jun 3Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 10
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Litchfield, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 8 – May 13 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 27 – Jun 10 | May 27 – Jun 10 | — |
| Basil | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 1 – May 13 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 22 – May 20 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 20 – Jun 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Litchfield, MN weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,119 ft (341 m)).
Frost dates near Litchfield
- Darwin May 6 · Oct 2
- Grove City May 6 · Oct 2
- Dassel Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Eden Valley May 6 · Oct 2
- Atwater Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Watkins May 2 · Oct 5
- Cosmos May 6 · Oct 2
- Cokato Apr 30 · Oct 10
- Hutchinson Apr 28 · Oct 8
- Kimball May 2 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Litchfield, MN?
The median last spring frost in Litchfield, MN is May 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Litchfield, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Litchfield, MN?
About 149 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Litchfield, MN?
Litchfield, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.