When to plant in New Ulm, MN
USDA Zone 5aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in New Ulm, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 5a means New Ulm sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
The average first fall frost in New Ulm is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
NEW ULM 2 SE · 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 New Ulm’s own odds, recorded at NEW ULM 2 SE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 23 | May 7 | Apr 25 | Sep 16 | Sep 28 | Oct 12 |
| 32°F | May 12 | Apr 29 | Apr 15 | Sep 22 | Oct 7 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F | May 2 | Apr 18 | Apr 3 | Oct 4 | Oct 21 | Nov 1 |
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 New Ulm, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 34 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.
New Ulm planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in New Ulm, MN?
New Ulm's average last spring frost falls near April 29 — 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 New Ulm, MN?
Expect New Ulm's first fall frost near October 7 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is New Ulm in?
New Ulm 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 New Ulm?
There are roughly 161 frost-free days in New Ulm (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 29 to the first fall frost near October 7.
When should I plant tomatoes in New Ulm?
In New Ulm, start tomato seeds indoors around March 4–March 18, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 6 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in New Ulm
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to New Ulm’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- North Mankato · 37 km
- St. Peter · 40 km
- Mankato · 42 km
- Hutchinson · 64 km
- Fairmont · 74 km
- Waconia · 80 km
- Chaska · 88 km
- Victoria · 89 km
Frost dates recorded at NEW ULM 2 SE, 2 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 New Ulm, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00215887. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/new-ulm.