When to plant in Columbia Heights, MN
USDA Zone 5aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Columbia Heights, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 5a means Columbia Heights sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS · 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 Columbia Heights’s own odds, recorded at LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 21 | May 4 | Apr 20 | Sep 23 | Oct 5 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 23 | Apr 10 | Oct 2 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 14 | Apr 2 | Oct 12 | Oct 27 | Nov 9 |
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 Columbia Heights, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 8 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.
Columbia Heights planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Columbia Heights, MN?
On average, the last spring frost in Columbia Heights is around April 23 (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 Columbia Heights, MN?
Expect Columbia Heights's first fall frost near October 16 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Columbia Heights in?
Columbia Heights 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 Columbia Heights?
There are roughly 176 frost-free days in Columbia Heights (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 16.
When should I plant tomatoes in Columbia Heights?
In Columbia Heights, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Columbia Heights
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Columbia Heights’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- New Brighton · 4 km
- Fridley · 4 km
- Brooklyn Center · 6 km
- Mounds View · 7 km
- Robbinsdale · 7 km
- Roseville · 8 km
- Crystal · 9 km
- Shoreview · 9 km
Frost dates recorded at LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, 8 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 Columbia Heights, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00214884. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/columbia-heights.