Minnesota Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Minnesota gardeners.

Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b

The Short Answer

Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a through 4b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern Minnesota has an average last frost around May 15 - Jun 1, while Southern Minnesota sees its last frost around Apr 25 - May 10. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Minnesota Frost Dates by Region

Long, cold winters. Warm summers. Short but productive growing season with long summer days. Hardy varieties essential.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Minnesota	3a, 3b	May 15 - Jun 1	Sep 5 - Sep 20
Central Minnesota	3b, 4a	May 5 - May 20	Sep 15 - Oct 1
Southern Minnesota	4a, 4b	Apr 25 - May 10	Sep 25 - Oct 10

Soil & Growing Conditions

Rich prairie soils in south and west. Rocky and thin soils in north. Generally excellent for gardening in southern half.

What to Plant in Minnesota

Minnesota's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Minnesota's climate:

Top Picks for Minnesota

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Minnesota gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026