Last frost date in St. Cloud, MN

Average last frost
May 7

Expect the last frost in St. Cloud around May 7. Frost after May 23 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about September 30, which leaves 144 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 23
Average first frost
Sep 30
Frost-free season
144 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 27
Next 7 nights in St. Cloud

Frost possible in low spots Mon night, low 35°F

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

  1. ThuOct 2251°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2443°
  4. SunOct 2539°
  5. MonOct 2635°possible frost
  6. TueOct 2737°
  7. WedOct 2839°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 7First frost Sep 30144 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND144 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at St Cloud Regional Airport, 5.9 miles from St. Cloud.

Planting calendar for St. Cloud

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

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 24May 7May 23Sep 16Sep 30Oct 12
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 12Apr 27May 11Sep 25Oct 8Oct 23

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 St Cloud Regional Airport (USW00014926) sits 5.9 miles from the center of St. Cloud at 1,018 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 St. Cloud, MN?

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

When is the first frost in St. Cloud?

The first frost in fall usually comes around September 30. One year in ten it arrives before September 16.

How long is the growing season in St. Cloud?

About 144 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in St. Cloud?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 14 to May 28. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Minnesota

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