Last frost date in Austin, MN
The average last frost in Austin is April 30. By May 11 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 5, which leaves 158 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 22 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 11
- Average first frost
- Oct 5
- Frost-free season
- 158 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 18
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
- ThuOct 2251°
- FriOct 2356°
- SatOct 2451°
- SunOct 2545°
- MonOct 2640°
- TueOct 2739°
- WedOct 2841°
Planting calendar for Austin
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Minnesota.
TomatoesMay 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Tulip bulbsSep 21–Oct 26
GarlicSep 14–Oct 19
Daffodil bulbsSep 7–Oct 19
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 14 | Apr 30 | May 11 | Sep 22 | Oct 5 | Oct 19 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | May 1 | Oct 1 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 |
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 Austin Waste Water Plant Facility (USC00210355) sits 1.3 miles from the center of Austin at 1,199 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 Austin, MN?
The average last frost date in Austin is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 11.
When is the first frost in Austin?
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 Austin?
About 158 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Austin?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Minnesota
- OwatonnaMay 5
- RochesterApr 30
- FaribaultMay 5
- NorthfieldMay 5
- MankatoApr 30
- FarmingtonApr 27
- WinonaApr 21
- LakevilleApr 27
- HastingsApr 23
- RosemountMay 2
- Apple ValleyMay 2
- Prior LakeApr 23