When to Plant in Minnesota: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 881 Minnesota ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is May 4 and the median first fall frost is Oct 3 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 3 areas: May 23 – May 30; Zone 4 areas: May 12 – May 19; Zone 5 areas: May 7 – May 14.
Minnesota spans USDA hardiness zones 3a–5a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 881 of its 881 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is May 4 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Apr 25 – May 17) and the median first fall frost is Oct 3 (Sep 26 – Oct 12). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Minnesota frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 (121 ZIP codes) | Fosston 1 E, MN, Eveleth Wwtp, MN, Marcell 5Ne, MN | May 16middle 80%: May 8 – May 29 | Sep 26middle 80%: Sep 15 – Oct 2 |
| Zone 4 (509 ZIP codes) | Delano, MN, Faribault, MN, Collegeville St John'S, MN | May 5middle 80%: Apr 30 – May 15 | Oct 3middle 80%: Sep 27 – Oct 8 |
| Zone 5 (241 ZIP codes) | Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, MN, Mpls Crystal Airport, MN | Apr 30middle 80%: Apr 23 – May 5 | Oct 9middle 80%: Oct 2 – Oct 18 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Minnesota ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Alma Dam 4, WI, Astoria 4S, SD, Fargo 3S, ND, Foxboro, WI, Genoa Dam 8, WI, Grand Forks Univ (Nws), ND…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Minnesota vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Minnesota, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 3 areasLast frost May 16 · First frost Sep 26 | Zone 4 areasLast frost May 5 · First frost Oct 3 | Zone 5 areasLast frost Apr 30 · First frost Oct 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 4 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jul 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jun 26 | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 21 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 4 – Apr 18Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 17 | Mar 24 – Apr 7Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 6 | Mar 19 – Apr 2Harvest (est.) May 3 – Jun 1 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Apr 11 – May 2Harvest (est.) May 1 – Jun 1 | Mar 31 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Apr 20 – May 21 | Mar 26 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 18 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 17 – Jul 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 10 | Apr 2 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jul 5 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 18 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jul 12 – Aug 30 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Aug 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 18 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 11 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 30 | Apr 2 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) May 22 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 18 – May 2Harvest (est.) Jun 27 – Jul 31 | Apr 7 – Apr 21Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 20 | Apr 2 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 15 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 25 – May 16 | Apr 14 – May 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 25 – May 16 | Apr 14 – May 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | May 2 – May 9Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 27 | Apr 21 – Apr 28Harvest (est.) Jul 15 – Aug 16 | Apr 16 – Apr 23Harvest (est.) Jul 10 – Aug 11 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 16 – May 30 | May 5 – May 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | May 16 – May 30 | May 5 – May 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Aug 1 – Aug 28 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 21 – Aug 17 | May 7 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jul 16 – Aug 12 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 7 – Aug 8 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 28 | May 7 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 27 – Aug 28 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jul 16 – Aug 17 | May 7 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jul 11 – Aug 12 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 2 – Aug 3 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 23 | May 7 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 18 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 2 – Jul 19 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 8 | May 7 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jun 16 – Jul 3 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | May 23 – Jun 6Harvest (est.) Aug 11 – Sep 14 | May 12 – May 26Harvest (est.) Jul 31 – Sep 3 | May 7 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jul 26 – Aug 29 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | May 23 – May 30Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Jul 11 | May 12 – May 19Harvest (est.) Jun 23 – Jun 30 | May 7 – May 14Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 30 – Jun 6Harvest (est.) Aug 3 – Aug 20 | May 19 – May 26Harvest (est.) Jul 23 – Aug 9 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jul 18 – Aug 4 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | May 30 – Jun 6Harvest (est.) Aug 8 – Sep 4 | May 19 – May 26Harvest (est.) Jul 28 – Aug 24 | May 14 – May 21Harvest (est.) Jul 23 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 4 – Jul 18Harvest (est.) Aug 23 – Sep 26 | Jul 11 – Jul 25Harvest (est.) Aug 30 – Oct 3 | Jul 17 – Jul 31Harvest (est.) Sep 5 – Oct 9 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 4 – Jul 18Harvest (est.) Sep 12 – Oct 16 | Jul 11 – Jul 25Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 23 | Jul 17 – Jul 31Harvest (est.) Sep 25 – Oct 29 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Jul 18 – Aug 1Harvest (est.) Sep 6 – Oct 10 | Jul 25 – Aug 8Harvest (est.) Sep 13 – Oct 17 | Jul 31 – Aug 14Harvest (est.) Sep 19 – Oct 23 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 1 – Aug 15Harvest (est.) Sep 30 – Nov 3 | Aug 8 – Aug 22Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Nov 10 | Aug 14 – Aug 28Harvest (est.) Oct 13 – Nov 16 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Aug 8 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Sep 22 – Oct 28 | Aug 15 – Sep 5Harvest (est.) Sep 29 – Nov 4 | Aug 21 – Sep 11Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Nov 10 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 15 – Aug 29Harvest (est.) Sep 4 – Sep 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 5Harvest (est.) Sep 11 – Oct 5 | Aug 28 – Sep 11Harvest (est.) Sep 17 – Oct 11 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Aug 29 – Oct 10 | Sep 5 – Oct 17 | Sep 11 – Oct 23 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Sep 12 – Oct 24 | Sep 19 – Oct 31 | Sep 25 – Nov 6 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Sep 12 – Oct 17Harvest (est.) May 20, 2027 – Jul 14, 2027 | Sep 19 – Oct 24Harvest (est.) May 27, 2027 – Jul 21, 2027 | Sep 25 – Oct 30Harvest (est.) Jun 2, 2027 – Jul 27, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Minnesota USDA zone guides: Zone 3 planting guide Zone 4 planting guide Zone 5 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Minnesota gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Minnesota?
Across the 881 Minnesota ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is May 4, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Apr 25 to May 17. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Minnesota?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 3 areas: May 23 – May 30; Zone 4 areas: May 12 – May 19; Zone 5 areas: May 7 – May 14.
What USDA zone is Minnesota?
Minnesota spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 3a–5a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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