When to plant in Mendota Heights, MN
USDA Zone 5aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Mendota Heights, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 5a means Mendota Heights sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
ST PAUL 3SW · 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 Mendota Heights’s own odds, recorded at ST PAUL 3SW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 22 | May 6 | Apr 21 | Sep 22 | Oct 3 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 9 | Apr 25 | Apr 9 | Oct 1 | Oct 12 | Oct 25 |
| 28°F | Apr 27 | Apr 12 | Apr 1 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 | Nov 5 |
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 Mendota Heights, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 9 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.
Mendota Heights planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Mendota Heights, MN?
On average, the last spring frost in Mendota Heights is around April 25 (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 Mendota Heights, MN?
The first fall frost in Mendota Heights typically arrives around October 12 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Mendota Heights in?
Mendota 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 Mendota Heights?
There are roughly 170 frost-free days in Mendota Heights (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 25 to the first fall frost near October 12.
When should I plant tomatoes in Mendota Heights?
In Mendota Heights, start tomato seeds indoors around February 28–March 14, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 2 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Mendota Heights
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Mendota Heights’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- West St. Paul · 5 km
- South St. Paul · 7 km
- Eagan · 7 km
- Inver Grove Heights · 8 km
- St. Paul · 8 km
- Richfield · 12 km
- Minneapolis · 14 km
- Roseville · 15 km
Frost dates recorded at ST PAUL 3SW, 6 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 Mendota Heights, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00217379. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/mendota-heights.