Last frost date in Otsego, MN

Average last frost
May 4

Expect the last frost in Otsego around May 4. Frost after May 18 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 5, which leaves 154 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 23 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 18
Average first frost
Oct 5
Frost-free season
154 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 25
Next 7 nights in Otsego

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, 12:24 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2253°
  2. FriOct 2361°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2541°
  5. MonOct 2637°
  6. TueOct 2738°
  7. WedOct 2840°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 4First frost Oct 5154 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND154 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Elk River, 3.3 miles from Otsego.

Planting calendar for Otsego

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 11–May 25
PumpkinsMay 18–Jun 1
SunflowersMay 4–May 25
CucumbersMay 18–May 25
CornMay 11–May 25
Sweet potatoesMay 25–Jun 8
WatermelonMay 18–Jun 1
Green beansMay 11–Jun 1
ZucchiniMay 11–May 25
OkraMay 25–Jun 8
PeppersMay 18–Jun 1
BasilMay 11–May 25
Butternut squashMay 11–May 25
CantaloupeMay 18–Jun 1
EggplantMay 18–Jun 1
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 6–Apr 20
OnionsMar 23–Apr 13
CarrotsApr 13–May 18
LettuceApr 20–May 11
BroccoliApr 6–Apr 20
BeetsApr 6–May 18
PeasMar 23–Apr 6
CabbageApr 6–Apr 20
RadishesMar 30–May 11
Brussels sproutsApr 20–May 4
SpinachMar 23–Apr 13
CilantroApr 20–May 11
KaleApr 6–Apr 20
Collard greensApr 6–Apr 20
TurnipsApr 6–Apr 20
DillMay 4–May 18
CeleryMay 11–May 18
CauliflowerApr 20–May 4
LeeksApr 20–May 4
Swiss chardApr 20–May 18
ParsleyApr 20–May 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 21–Oct 26
GarlicSep 14–Oct 19
Daffodil bulbsSep 7–Oct 19
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 6–Apr 20
AsparagusApr 6–Apr 20

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 22May 4May 18Sep 23Oct 5Oct 18
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 11Apr 25May 9Oct 3Oct 17Oct 29

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 Elk River (USC00212500) sits 3.3 miles from the center of Otsego at 880 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 Otsego, MN?

The average last frost date in Otsego is May 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 18.

When is the first frost in Otsego?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 5. One year in ten it arrives before September 23.

How long is the growing season in Otsego?

About 154 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Otsego?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 11 to May 25. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Minnesota

All 61 cities in Minnesota