Last frost date in Columbia Heights, MN

Average last frost
April 23

The average last frost in Columbia Heights is April 23. By May 7 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 16, which leaves 175 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 7
Average first frost
Oct 16
Frost-free season
175 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 14
Next 7 nights in Columbia Heights

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 16.

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2361°
  3. SatOct 2449°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2640°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2843°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 23First frost Oct 16175 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND175 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lower St Anthony Falls, 4.9 miles from Columbia Heights.

Planting calendar for Columbia Heights

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
TomatoesApr 30–May 14
PumpkinsMay 7–May 21
SunflowersApr 23–May 14
CucumbersMay 7–May 14
CornApr 30–May 14
Sweet potatoesMay 14–May 28
WatermelonMay 7–May 21
Green beansApr 30–May 21
ZucchiniApr 30–May 14
OkraMay 14–May 28
PeppersMay 7–May 21
BasilApr 30–May 14
Butternut squashApr 30–May 14
CantaloupeMay 7–May 21
EggplantMay 7–May 21
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 26–Apr 9
OnionsMar 12–Apr 2
CarrotsApr 2–May 7
LettuceApr 9–Apr 30
BroccoliMar 26–Apr 9
BeetsMar 26–May 7
PeasMar 12–Mar 26
CabbageMar 26–Apr 9
RadishesMar 19–Apr 30
Brussels sproutsApr 9–Apr 23
SpinachMar 12–Apr 2
CilantroApr 9–Apr 30
KaleMar 26–Apr 9
Collard greensMar 26–Apr 9
TurnipsMar 26–Apr 9
DillApr 23–May 7
CeleryApr 30–May 7
CauliflowerApr 9–Apr 23
LeeksApr 9–Apr 23
Swiss chardApr 9–May 7
ParsleyApr 9–Apr 30
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 2–Nov 6
GarlicSep 25–Oct 30
Daffodil bulbsSep 18–Oct 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 26–Apr 9
AsparagusMar 26–Apr 9

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 10Apr 23May 7Oct 2Oct 16Oct 30
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 14Apr 27Oct 12Oct 27Nov 9

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 Lower St Anthony Falls (USC00214884) sits 4.9 miles from the center of Columbia Heights at 754 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 Columbia Heights, MN?

The average last frost date in Columbia Heights is April 23, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 7.

When is the first frost in Columbia Heights?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 16. One year in ten it arrives before October 2.

How long is the growing season in Columbia Heights?

About 175 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Columbia Heights?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 30 to May 14. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Minnesota

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