When to plant in Bloomington, MN
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Bloomington, Minnesota — all computed from Bloomington's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 5a, Bloomington gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average first fall frost in Bloomington is now 8 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL AP · 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 Bloomington’s own odds, recorded at MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | May 3 | Apr 20 | Sep 24 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Oct 1 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 11 |
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 Bloomington, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 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.
Bloomington planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Bloomington, MN?
Plan for the last spring frost in Bloomington around April 23 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Bloomington, MN?
Expect Bloomington's first fall frost near October 18 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Bloomington in?
Bloomington is in USDA hardiness zone 5a. In zone 5a, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Bloomington?
Bloomington has about 178 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 18).
When should I plant tomatoes in Bloomington?
For Bloomington, sow tomatoes indoors about February 26–March 12 and move the seedlings out around April 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Bloomington
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Bloomington’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Richfield · 6 km
- Edina · 8 km
- Burnsville · 8 km
- Savage · 9 km
- Eden Prairie · 12 km
- Eagan · 12 km
- Hopkins · 13 km
- Apple Valley · 13 km
Frost dates recorded at MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL AP, 9 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 Bloomington, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014922. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/bloomington.