When to plant in Lake Elmo, MN
USDA Zone 5aLake Elmo, Minnesota frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
In zone 5a, Lake Elmo gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
Frost probability
STILLWATER 2SW · 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 Lake Elmo’s own odds, recorded at STILLWATER 2SW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 23 | May 8 | Apr 26 | Sep 20 | Oct 2 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 13 | Apr 30 | Apr 17 | Sep 28 | Oct 11 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F | May 2 | Apr 20 | Apr 6 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 |
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 Lake Elmo, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 11 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.
Lake Elmo planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lake Elmo, MN?
Lake Elmo's average last spring frost falls near April 30 — 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 Lake Elmo, MN?
The first fall frost in Lake Elmo typically arrives around October 11 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Lake Elmo in?
Lake Elmo 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 Lake Elmo?
Lake Elmo has about 164 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 30) and first fall frost (October 11).
When should I plant tomatoes in Lake Elmo?
For Lake Elmo, 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 Lake Elmo
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lake Elmo’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Oakdale · 4 km
- North St. Paul · 8 km
- Woodbury · 9 km
- Stillwater · 10 km
- Maplewood · 10 km
- White Bear Lake · 12 km
- Little Canada · 14 km
- Hudson · 14 km
Frost dates recorded at STILLWATER 2SW, 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 Lake Elmo, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00218039. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/lake-elmo.