Frost dates for 55901 — Rochester, MN
Last spring frostMay 12median date
First fall frostSep 28median date
Growing season139 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone4bZone 4b
How Rochester compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rochester falls between April 29 and May 25, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 14 and October 10.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Minnesota median of May 5.
- Its 139-day growing season is longer than 19% of the 801 Minnesota places with a regular frost season (state median 151 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 4b median of May 8. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 4b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 176 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Saint Paul, MN, 112 km away, the last frost here is 18 days later than there and the growing season is 36 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 29 |
| 50% (median) | May 12 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 25 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 14 |
| 50% (median) | September 28 |
| 90% (late) | October 10 |
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 Rochester, MN
Frost dates for 55901 — Rochester, MN — last frost May 12, first frost Sep 28, zone 4b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Jun 22 to Jul 13
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: Jun 2 to Jun 16Sow outdoors: Jun 2 to Jun 16
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Apr 14 to Apr 21Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 6 to Jul 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 19Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 26Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 9Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Transplant outside: May 26 to Jun 16
Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rochester, MN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 14 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Broccoli | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | Jun 22 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 | — |
| Basil | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Jul 6 – Jul 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 7 – May 19 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | May 26 – Jun 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 6 – Jul 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 21 – May 19 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 28 – May 26 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 19 – Jun 9 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 26 – Jun 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
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 Byron 4north, MN weather station, 13 km away (elevation 1,040 ft (317 m)).
ZIP codes in Rochester: 55901 55902 55903 55904 55905 55906
Frost dates near Rochester
- Oronoco May 12 · Sep 28
- Byron May 12 · Sep 28
- Eyota Apr 30 · Oct 6
- Kasson May 12 · Sep 28
- Elgin May 7 · Oct 2
- Mantorville May 12 · Sep 28
- Stewartville Apr 30 · Oct 6
- Zumbro Falls May 7 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rochester, MN?
The median last spring frost in Rochester, MN is May 12. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 25, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rochester, MN?
The median first fall frost is September 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 14.
How long is the growing season in Rochester, MN?
About 139 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rochester, MN?
Rochester, MN is in USDA hardiness zone 4b.