Frost dates for 55121 — Saint Paul, MN
Last spring frostApr 23median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season178 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Saint Paul compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Saint Paul falls between April 8 and May 7, a 29-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 31.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 178-day growing season is among the longest of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 10 days earlier than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Minneapolis, MN, 19 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 2 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 23 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 31 |
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 Saint Paul, MN
Frost dates for 55121 — Saint Paul, MN — last frost Apr 23, first frost Oct 18, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 14Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 30 to May 14
Transplant outside: May 7 to May 28
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Saint Paul, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Mar 26 – Apr 30 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Basil | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 30 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 14 | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 30 – May 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 7 – May 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Minneapolis/St Paul Ap, MN weather station, 7 km away (elevation 873 ft (266 m)).
ZIP codes in Saint Paul: 55101 55102 55103 55104 55105 55106 55107 55108 55109 55110 55111 55112 55113 55114 55115 55116 55117 55118 55119 55120 55121 55122 55123 55124 55125 55126 55127 55128 55129 55130 55131 55133 55144 55145 55146 55155 55164 55165 55170 55172 55175 55187 55188
Frost dates near Saint Paul
- Mendota Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Inver Grove Heights Apr 24 · Oct 16
- South Saint Paul Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Rosemount May 2 · Oct 5
- Newport Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Saint Paul Park Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Burnsville Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Cottage Grove Apr 23 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Saint Paul, MN?
The median last spring frost in Saint Paul, MN is April 23. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Saint Paul, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Saint Paul, MN?
About 178 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Saint Paul, MN?
Saint Paul, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.