Last frost date in Winona, MN

Average last frost
April 21

In Winona, the last spring frost comes around April 21 in an average year. Wait until May 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 19, which leaves 180 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 4
Average first frost
Oct 19
Frost-free season
180 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 9
Next 7 nights in Winona

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 2252°
  2. FriOct 2357°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2547°
  5. MonOct 2641°
  6. TueOct 2741°
  7. WedOct 2842°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 21First frost Oct 19180 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND180 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Winona, 1.7 miles from Winona.

Planting calendar for Winona

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 28–May 12
PumpkinsMay 5–May 19
SunflowersApr 21–May 12
CucumbersMay 5–May 12
CornApr 28–May 12
Sweet potatoesMay 12–May 26
WatermelonMay 5–May 19
Green beansApr 28–May 19
ZucchiniApr 28–May 12
OkraMay 12–May 26
PeppersMay 5–May 19
BasilApr 28–May 12
Butternut squashApr 28–May 12
CantaloupeMay 5–May 19
EggplantMay 5–May 19
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 24–Apr 7
OnionsMar 10–Mar 31
CarrotsMar 31–May 5
LettuceApr 7–Apr 28
BroccoliMar 24–Apr 7
BeetsMar 24–May 5
PeasMar 10–Mar 24
CabbageMar 24–Apr 7
RadishesMar 17–Apr 28
Brussels sproutsApr 7–Apr 21
SpinachMar 10–Mar 31
CilantroApr 7–Apr 28
KaleMar 24–Apr 7
Collard greensMar 24–Apr 7
TurnipsMar 24–Apr 7
DillApr 21–May 5
CeleryApr 28–May 5
CauliflowerApr 7–Apr 21
LeeksApr 7–Apr 21
Swiss chardApr 7–May 5
ParsleyApr 7–Apr 28
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 5–Nov 9
GarlicSep 28–Nov 2
Daffodil bulbsSep 21–Nov 2
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 24–Apr 7
AsparagusMar 24–Apr 7

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 7Apr 21May 4Oct 4Oct 19Nov 1
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 30Apr 9Apr 24Oct 13Oct 29Nov 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 Winona (USC00219067) sits 1.7 miles from the center of Winona at 652 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 Winona, MN?

The average last frost date in Winona is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 4.

When is the first frost in Winona?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 19. One year in ten it arrives before October 4.

How long is the growing season in Winona?

About 180 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Winona?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 28 to May 12. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Minnesota

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