Frost dates for 55170 — Saint Paul, MN
Last spring frostApr 24median date
First fall frostOct 16median date
Growing season175 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 9 and May 10, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 29.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 175-day growing season is longer than 97% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Minneapolis, MN, 17 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 16 |
| 90% (late) | October 29 |
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 55170 — Saint Paul, MN — last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 16, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29Sow outdoors: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to May 1Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 14
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Transplant outside: May 8 to May 29
Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Nov 6
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 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Mar 27 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Okra | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 | May 15 – May 29 | — |
| Basil | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 1 – May 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 20 – May 1 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 3 – May 1 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 8 – May 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 2 – Nov 6 |
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 St Paul Downtown Ap, MN weather station, 3 km away (elevation 699 ft (213 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
- South Saint Paul Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Mendota Apr 25 · Oct 12
- Newport Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Inver Grove Heights Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Saint Paul Park Apr 24 · Oct 16
- Lake Elmo Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Willernie Apr 30 · Oct 11
- Minneapolis Apr 23 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Saint Paul, MN?
The median last spring frost in Saint Paul, MN is April 24. 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 Saint Paul, MN?
The median first fall frost is October 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Saint Paul, MN?
About 175 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.