Red Wing, MN planting zone & frost dates
Red Wing is in USDA hardiness zone 4b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 23 and the first fall frost around October 14, for a growing season of about 173 days.
Planting calendar for Red Wing
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 23) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 26 – Mar 12 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: May 7 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: May 7 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 12 – Mar 26 Transplant outdoors: Apr 30 – May 7 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 19 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 14).
Useful for zone 4b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 8 | Apr 23 | May 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 28 | Oct 14 | Sep 28 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 28. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 12.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Red Wing
- 55066 zone 4b
Nearby cities
- Hastings zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- Cottage Grove zone 5a, last frost Apr 23
- Rochester zone 4b, last frost Apr 30
- Woodbury zone 5a, last frost Apr 26
- Stillwater zone 4b, last frost Apr 22
- Inver Grove Heights zone 5a, last frost Apr 24
- Oakdale zone 5a, last frost Apr 26
- South Saint Paul zone 5a, last frost Apr 24
Questions
What growing zone is Red Wing, MN?
Red Wing is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 4b (average extreme winter low -25°F to -20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Red Wing?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Red Wing is April 23. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Red Wing?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 30 – May 7. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Red Wing Dam 3, MN (USC00216822), 8.0 km (5.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 206 m, based on 29 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.