Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota planting calendar
Continental climate with a short, warm, humid growing season of roughly 150 frost-free days. Frost-free season about 153 days.
Climate assumptions
USDA zone 4b–5a; cold winters limit perennials, but summers are warm enough for most annual crops.
Average last spring frost: May 5 ± 12 days
Average first autumn frost: Oct 5 ± 12 days
Status: supported region.
Caveats
- Season length limits long-maturing crops; choose shorter-season cultivars of tomato, pepper, melon and winter squash.
- Late spring frosts after the average date are common; keep row cover ready.
A hardiness zone describes winter minimum temperature; it is one input, not a vegetable planting schedule. Why frost dates matter more →
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Warm-season crops (20)
BasilOcimum basilicum
BorageBorago officinalis
BuckwheatFagopyrum esculentum
Bush beansPhaseolus vulgaris
CornZea mays
CosmosCosmos bipinnatus
CucumberCucumis sativus
EggplantSolanum melongena
French marigoldTagetes patula
MelonCucumis melo
NasturtiumTropaeolum majus
OkraAbelmoschus esculentus
PepperCapsicum annuum
Pole beansPhaseolus vulgaris / P. coccineus
PumpkinCucurbita pepo / C. maxima
SunflowerHelianthus annuus
Sweet potatoIpomoea batatas
TomatoSolanum lycopersicum
Winter squashCucurbita maxima / C. moschata / C. pepo
ZucchiniCucurbita pepo| Plant | Start indoors | Direct sow | Autumn sow | Transplant | Tend | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | May 19–Jun 16 (estimate) | — | May 19–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 16–Jul 8 (estimate) | Jul 8–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Borage | — | May 5–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | — | Jun 2–Jun 24 (estimate) | Jun 24–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Buckwheat | — | May 12–Jul 14 (estimate); Jul 14–Aug 22 (estimate) | — | — | — | Jun 11–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Bush beans | — | May 12–Jun 30 (estimate); Jun 30–Aug 2 (estimate) | — | — | — | Jul 1–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Corn | — | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | — | Jun 2–Jul 16 (estimate) | Jul 16–Sep 19 (estimate) |
| Cosmos | Mar 31–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 6 (estimate) | Jul 6–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Cucumber | Apr 7–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 1 (estimate) | Jul 1–Sep 22 (estimate) |
| Eggplant | Feb 24–Mar 10 (estimate) | — | — | May 19–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 23 (estimate) | Jul 23–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| French marigold | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 1 (estimate) | Jul 1–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Melon | Apr 7–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 19–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | May 19–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 28 (estimate) | Jul 28–Sep 21 (estimate) |
| Nasturtium | Apr 7–Apr 21 (estimate) | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jun 21 (estimate) | Jun 21–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Okra | Apr 7–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 26–Jun 9 (estimate) | — | May 26–Jun 9 (estimate) | Jun 9–Jul 20 (estimate) | Jul 20–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Pepper | Feb 24–Mar 10 (estimate) | — | — | May 19–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 18 (estimate) | Jul 18–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Pole beans | — | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | — | Jun 2–Jul 11 (estimate) | Jul 11–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Pumpkin | Apr 14–Apr 21 (estimate) | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Aug 10 (estimate) | Aug 10–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Sunflower | — | May 12–Jun 9 (estimate) | — | — | Jun 9–Jul 21 (estimate) | Jul 21–Oct 1 (estimate) |
| Sweet potato | — | — | — | May 26–Jun 16 (estimate) | Jun 16–Aug 24 (estimate) | Aug 24–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Tomato | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Jul 11 (estimate) | Jul 11–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Winter squash | Apr 7–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Aug 5 (estimate) | Aug 5–Oct 4 (estimate) |
| Zucchini | Apr 7–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 12–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jun 26 (estimate) | Jun 26–Oct 5 (estimate) |
Cool-season crops (31)
ArugulaEruca vesicaria subsp. sativa
BeetBeta vulgaris
Bok choyBrassica rapa subsp. chinensis
BroccoliBrassica oleracea var. italica
Brussels sproutsBrassica oleracea var. gemmifera
CabbageBrassica oleracea var. capitata
CalendulaCalendula officinalis
CarrotDaucus carota subsp. sativus
CauliflowerBrassica oleracea var. botrytis
CeleryApium graveolens var. dulce
CilantroCoriandrum sativum
CollardsBrassica oleracea var. viridis
DillAnethum graveolens
Florence fennelFoeniculum vulgare var. azoricum
GarlicAllium sativum
KaleBrassica oleracea var. sabellica
KohlrabiBrassica oleracea var. gongylodes
LeekAllium ampeloprasum (Porrum Group)
LettuceLactuca sativa
Mustard greensBrassica juncea
OnionAllium cepa
ParsleyPetroselinum crispum
ParsnipPastinaca sativa
PeasPisum sativum
PotatoSolanum tuberosum
RadishRaphanus sativus
SpinachSpinacia oleracea
Sweet alyssumLobularia maritima
Swiss chardBeta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris (Cicla Group)
TurnipBrassica rapa subsp. rapa
White cloverTrifolium repens| Plant | Start indoors | Direct sow | Autumn sow | Transplant | Tend | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | — | Apr 7–May 26 (estimate); May 26–Aug 27 (estimate) | Aug 10–Sep 14 (estimate) | — | — | May 2–Oct 27 (estimate) |
| Beet | — | Apr 7–Jun 2 (estimate); Jun 2–Aug 2 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (estimate) | — | — | May 27–Nov 8 (estimate) |
| Bok choy | Mar 31–Apr 14 (estimate) | Apr 14–May 19 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | — | May 19–Jul 22 (estimate) |
| Broccoli | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | Jun 29–Jul 13 (estimate) | Apr 14–May 5 (estimate) | May 5–Jun 8 (estimate) | Jun 8–Aug 21 (estimate) |
| Brussels sprouts | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | — | — | Apr 21–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Jul 20 (estimate) | Jul 20–Nov 18 (estimate) |
| Cabbage | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | Jun 29–Jul 13 (estimate) | Apr 7–Apr 28 (estimate) | Apr 28–Jun 6 (estimate) | Jun 6–Aug 27 (estimate) |
| Calendula | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 26 (estimate) | Aug 10–Aug 24 (estimate) | Apr 28–May 19 (estimate) | May 26–Jun 5 (estimate) | Jun 5–Nov 14 (estimate) |
| Carrot | — | Apr 14–Jun 16 (estimate); Jun 16–Jul 23 (estimate) | Jul 13–Jul 27 (estimate) | — | — | Jun 13–Nov 22 (estimate) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | Jun 29–Jul 13 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 12 (estimate) | May 12–Jun 15 (estimate) | Jun 15–Aug 14 (estimate) |
| Celery | Feb 10–Feb 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 5–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Jul 29 (estimate) | Jul 29–Nov 4 (estimate) |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 14–May 26 (estimate); May 26–Aug 12 (estimate) | Jul 27–Sep 7 (estimate) | — | — | May 24–Nov 1 (estimate) |
| Collards | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (estimate) | Apr 7–May 5 (estimate) | May 19–Jun 1 (estimate) | Jun 1–Oct 11 (estimate) |
| Dill | — | Apr 21–Jun 2 (estimate); Jun 2–Aug 12 (estimate) | — | — | — | May 31–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Florence fennel | Apr 7–Apr 14 (estimate) | May 5–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (estimate) | May 12–May 26 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jul 9 (estimate) | Jul 9–Sep 21 (estimate) |
| Garlic | — | Mar 24–Apr 21 (estimate) | Aug 24–Sep 21 (estimate) | — | Apr 21–Nov 19 (estimate) | Nov 19–Jan 30 (estimate) |
| Kale | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 21–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jul 13–Aug 10 (estimate) | Apr 7–May 5 (estimate) | — | May 27–Oct 29 (estimate) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (estimate) | Apr 14–May 5 (estimate) | May 19–May 29 (estimate) | May 29–Aug 1 (estimate) |
| Leek | Feb 24–Mar 10 (estimate) | — | — | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | May 19–Jul 30 (estimate) | Jul 30–Jan 8 (estimate) |
| Lettuce | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 7–Jun 2 (estimate); Jun 2–Aug 22 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | — | May 7–Nov 11 (estimate) |
| Mustard greens | — | Apr 7–May 19 (estimate); May 19–Aug 22 (estimate) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (estimate) | — | — | May 7–Oct 27 (estimate) |
| Onion | Feb 24–Mar 10 (estimate) | Apr 7–Apr 28 (estimate) | — | Apr 7–May 5 (estimate) | May 5–Jul 6 (estimate) | Jul 6–Sep 23 (estimate) |
| Parsley | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | Apr 14–May 26 (estimate) | — | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | May 26–Jun 23 (estimate) | Jun 23–Jan 11 (estimate) |
| Parsnip | — | Apr 21–Jun 2 (estimate) | — | — | Jun 2–Jul 30 (estimate) | Jul 30–Jan 2 (estimate) |
| Peas | — | Mar 24–May 5 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (estimate) | — | May 5–May 18 (estimate) | May 18–Aug 11 (estimate) |
| Potato | — | Apr 14–May 19 (estimate) | — | — | May 19–Jun 23 (estimate) | Jun 23–Oct 5 (estimate) |
| Radish | — | Apr 7–Jun 2 (estimate); Jun 2–Aug 30 (estimate) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (estimate) | — | — | Apr 29–Oct 18 (estimate) |
| Spinach | — | Mar 24–May 5 (estimate); May 5–Aug 17 (estimate) | Aug 10–Sep 7 (estimate) | — | — | Apr 28–Oct 27 (estimate) |
| Sweet alyssum | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 28–May 26 (estimate) | — | Apr 28–May 19 (estimate) | May 26–Jun 12 (estimate) | Jun 12–Nov 14 (estimate) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 24–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 21–Jun 16 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 10 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | — | Jun 10–Dec 5 (estimate) |
| Turnip | — | Apr 7–May 19 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 17–Aug 8 (estimate) |
| White clover | — | Apr 14–Jun 16 (estimate) | Jul 27–Aug 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 24–Jan 2 (estimate) |
Perennials (12)
AsparagusAsparagus officinalis
BlueberryVaccinium corymbosum
ChivesAllium schoenoprasum
LavenderLavandula angustifolia
MintMentha spicata / M. × piperita
OreganoOriganum vulgare
RaspberryRubus idaeus
RhubarbRheum × hybridum
RosemarySalvia rosmarinus
SageSalvia officinalis
StrawberryFragaria × ananassa
ThymeThymus vulgaris| Plant | Start indoors | Direct sow | Autumn sow | Transplant | Tend | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | — | — | — | Apr 7–May 5 (estimate) | May 5–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 7–Jun 23 (estimate) |
| Blueberry | — | — | Aug 10–Sep 7 (estimate) | Apr 7–May 19 (estimate) | May 19–Apr 7 (estimate) | Apr 7–Jun 16 (estimate) |
| Chives | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | — | Apr 21–May 19 (estimate) | May 19–Jun 20 (estimate) | Jun 20–Jan 4 (estimate) |
| Lavender | — | — | — | May 5–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 2–May 5 (estimate) | May 5–Aug 4 (estimate) |
| Mint | — | — | — | Apr 21–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 2–Jun 20 (estimate) | Jun 20–Mar 29 (estimate) |
| Oregano | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 5–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Jul 24 (estimate) | Jul 24–Mar 22 (estimate) |
| Raspberry | — | — | — | Mar 24–May 5 (estimate) | May 5–Mar 24 (estimate) | Mar 24–Sep 9 (estimate) |
| Rhubarb | — | — | — | Mar 24–May 5 (estimate) | May 5–Mar 24 (estimate) | Mar 24–Jun 30 (estimate) |
| Rosemary | — | — | — | May 19–Jun 2 (estimate) | Jun 2–Aug 17 (estimate) | Aug 17–Apr 28 (estimate) |
| Sage | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 5–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Jul 19 (estimate) | Jul 19–Mar 22 (estimate) |
| Strawberry | — | — | Aug 10–Sep 7 (estimate) | Apr 7–May 19 (estimate) | May 19–Jun 6 (estimate) | Jun 6–Sep 14 (estimate) |
| Thyme | Mar 10–Mar 24 (estimate) | — | — | May 5–May 26 (estimate) | May 26–Jul 14 (estimate) | Jul 14–Mar 22 (estimate) |
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