Last frost date in Apple Valley, MN

Average last frost
May 2

Expect the last frost in Apple Valley around May 2. Frost after May 16 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 5, which leaves 155 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 22 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 16
Average first frost
Oct 5
Frost-free season
155 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 22
Next 7 nights in Apple Valley

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 5.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2359°
  3. SatOct 2449°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2639°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 2First frost Oct 5155 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND155 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Rosemount Rsch & Outreach Center, 5.4 miles from Apple Valley.

Planting calendar for Apple Valley

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Minnesota.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 9–May 23
PumpkinsMay 16–May 30
SunflowersMay 2–May 23
CucumbersMay 16–May 23
CornMay 9–May 23
Sweet potatoesMay 23–Jun 6
WatermelonMay 16–May 30
Green beansMay 9–May 30
ZucchiniMay 9–May 23
OkraMay 23–Jun 6
PeppersMay 16–May 30
BasilMay 9–May 23
Butternut squashMay 9–May 23
CantaloupeMay 16–May 30
EggplantMay 16–May 30
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 4–Apr 18
OnionsMar 21–Apr 11
CarrotsApr 11–May 16
LettuceApr 18–May 9
BroccoliApr 4–Apr 18
BeetsApr 4–May 16
PeasMar 21–Apr 4
CabbageApr 4–Apr 18
RadishesMar 28–May 9
Brussels sproutsApr 18–May 2
SpinachMar 21–Apr 11
CilantroApr 18–May 9
KaleApr 4–Apr 18
Collard greensApr 4–Apr 18
TurnipsApr 4–Apr 18
DillMay 2–May 16
CeleryMay 9–May 16
CauliflowerApr 18–May 2
LeeksApr 18–May 2
Swiss chardApr 18–May 16
ParsleyApr 18–May 9
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 21–Oct 26
GarlicSep 14–Oct 19
Daffodil bulbsSep 7–Oct 19
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 4–Apr 18
AsparagusApr 4–Apr 18

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 19May 2May 16Sep 22Oct 5Oct 19
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 8Apr 22May 7Oct 2Oct 17Oct 31

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Rosemount Rsch & Outreach Center (USC00217107) sits 5.4 miles from the center of Apple Valley at 945 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Apple Valley, MN?

The average last frost date in Apple Valley is May 2, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 16.

When is the first frost in Apple Valley?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 5. One year in ten it arrives before September 22.

How long is the growing season in Apple Valley?

About 155 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Apple Valley?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 9 to May 23. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Minnesota

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