When to plant in Austin, MN
USDA Zone 4bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Austin, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 4b, Austin winters are severe; choose cold-hardy perennials and time annuals carefully around the frost dates above.
The average first fall frost in Austin is now 5 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
AUSTIN WASTE WTP FACILITY · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Austin’s own odds, recorded at AUSTIN WASTE WTP FACILITY.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 21 | May 8 | Apr 26 | Sep 14 | Sep 27 | Oct 10 |
| 32°F | May 11 | Apr 30 | Apr 14 | Sep 22 | Oct 5 | Oct 19 |
| 28°F | May 1 | Apr 18 | Apr 4 | Oct 1 | Oct 17 | Oct 30 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Austin, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Austin planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Austin, MN?
On average, the last spring frost in Austin is around April 30 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Austin, MN?
Expect Austin's first fall frost near October 5 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Austin in?
Austin is in USDA hardiness zone 4b. In zone 4b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Austin?
Austin has about 158 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 30) and first fall frost (October 5).
When should I plant tomatoes in Austin?
For Austin, sow tomatoes indoors about March 5–March 19 and move the seedlings out around May 7, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Austin
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Austin’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Albert Lea · 31 km
- Owatonna · 51 km
- Rochester · 55 km
- Mason City · 61 km
- Faribault · 74 km
- Northfield · 88 km
- Mankato · 97 km
- North Mankato · 102 km
Frost dates recorded at AUSTIN WASTE WTP FACILITY, 2 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Austin, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00210355. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/austin.