Pennington, MN frost dates
Last spring frostMay 17median date
First fall frostSep 26median date
Growing season132 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone3bZone 3b
How Pennington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pennington falls between May 3 and May 30, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 12 and October 11.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 132-day growing season is longer than 10% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 3b, where the median is May 17.
- The weather station records an average of 187 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 3 |
| 50% (median) | May 17 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 12 |
| 50% (median) | September 26 |
| 90% (late) | October 11 |
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 Pennington, MN
Pennington, MN frost dates — last frost May 17, first frost Sep 26, zone 3b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 20 to Jul 11
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21Sow outdoors: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Transplant outside: May 24 to Jun 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 7Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Start indoors: Apr 19 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: May 24 to Jun 7
Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 21
Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 17
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pennington, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 19 – May 24 | Aug 1 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Broccoli | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 20 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — |
| Basil | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 12 – May 24 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 7 | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 4 – Jul 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 26 – May 24 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 24 – Jun 14 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 12 – Oct 17 |
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 Cass Lake, MN weather station, 13 km away (elevation 1,296 ft (395 m)).
Frost dates near Pennington
- Cass Lake May 17 · Sep 26
- Bena May 8 · Oct 1
- Tenstrike May 24 · Sep 17
- Bemidji May 17 · Sep 26
- Blackduck May 24 · Sep 17
- Squaw Lake May 16 · Sep 26
- Hines May 24 · Sep 17
- Federal Dam May 8 · Oct 1
- Laporte May 17 · Sep 26
- Max May 16 · Sep 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pennington, MN?
The median last spring frost in Pennington, MN is May 17. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Pennington, MN?
The median first fall frost is September 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 12.
How long is the growing season in Pennington, MN?
About 132 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pennington, MN?
Pennington, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 3b.