When to plant in Elk River, MN
USDA Zone 4bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Elk River, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 4b is cold — in Elk River, most perennials must be fully hardy, and your frost dates set a tight window for tender annual vegetables.
Frost probability
ELK RVR · 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 Elk River’s own odds, recorded at ELK RVR.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 28 | May 13 | May 1 | Sep 16 | Sep 28 | Oct 9 |
| 32°F | May 18 | May 4 | Apr 22 | Sep 23 | Oct 5 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F | May 9 | Apr 25 | Apr 11 | Oct 3 | Oct 17 | Oct 29 |
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 Elk River, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 23 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.
Elk River planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Elk River, MN?
Elk River's average last spring frost falls near May 4 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Elk River, MN?
The first fall frost in Elk River typically arrives around October 5 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Elk River in?
Elk River 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 Elk River?
There are roughly 154 frost-free days in Elk River (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 4 to the first fall frost near October 5.
When should I plant tomatoes in Elk River?
In Elk River, start tomato seeds indoors around March 9–March 23, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 11 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Elk River
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Elk River’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Otsego · 9 km
- Ramsey · 12 km
- Big Lake · 14 km
- Rogers · 17 km
- St. Michael · 18 km
- Monticello · 18 km
- Anoka · 19 km
- Andover · 20 km
Frost dates recorded at ELK RVR, 3 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 Elk River, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00212500. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/elk-river.