Richwood, MN frost dates
Last spring frostMay 5median date
First fall frostOct 3median date
Growing season151 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4aZone 4a
How Richwood compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Richwood falls between April 21 and May 18, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 22 and October 17.
- The median last frost is the same as the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 151-day growing season is longer than 48% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 4a median of May 12. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 182 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Fargo, ND, 75 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 21 |
| 50% (median) | May 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 22 |
| 50% (median) | October 3 |
| 90% (late) | October 17 |
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 Richwood, MN
Richwood, MN frost dates — last frost May 5, first frost Oct 3, zone 4a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 27 to Jul 18
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9Sow outdoors: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Apr 7 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Jul 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: May 12 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 9
Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Richwood, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 7 – May 12 | Aug 8 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 27 – Jul 18 |
| Okra | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 26 – Jun 9 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — |
| Basil | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 31 – May 12 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 19 – Oct 24 |
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 Tamarac Wildlife Re, MN weather station, 13 km away (elevation 1,509 ft (460 m)).
Frost dates near Richwood
- Callaway May 15 · Sep 24
- Rochert May 4 · Oct 3
- White Earth May 5 · Oct 3
- Ogema May 7 · Sep 28
- Audubon May 15 · Sep 24
- Detroit Lakes May 15 · Sep 24
- Waubun May 7 · Sep 28
- Lake Park May 15 · Sep 24
- Flom May 7 · Sep 28
- Frazee May 4 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Richwood, MN?
The median last spring frost in Richwood, MN is May 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Richwood, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 22.
How long is the growing season in Richwood, MN?
About 151 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Richwood, MN?
Richwood, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4a.