Last frost date in Cottage Grove, MN

Average last frost
April 23

In Cottage Grove, the last spring frost comes around April 23 in an average year. Wait until May 7 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 19, which leaves 177 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 5 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 7
Average first frost
Oct 19
Frost-free season
177 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 11
Next 7 nights in Cottage Grove

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 19.

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

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2359°
  3. SatOct 2449°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2640°
  6. TueOct 2740°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 23First frost Oct 19177 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND177 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Hastings Dam 2, 4.3 miles from Cottage Grove.

Planting calendar for Cottage Grove

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 5–Nov 9
GarlicSep 28–Nov 2
Daffodil bulbsSep 21–Nov 2
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 8Apr 23May 7Oct 5Oct 19Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 1Apr 11Apr 30Oct 14Oct 30Nov 12

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 Hastings Dam 2 (USC00213567) sits 4.3 miles from the center of Cottage Grove at 680 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 Cottage Grove, MN?

The average last frost date in Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 19. One year in ten it arrives before October 5.

How long is the growing season in Cottage Grove?

About 177 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Cottage Grove?

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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