When to plant in North Branch, MN
USDA Zone 4bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in North Branch, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Heads up: the nearest complete-normals station is about 16 km from North Branch, so your yard's frost dates can differ — a low spot or a paved city center can shift them by a week. Zone 4b is cold — in North Branch, most perennials must be fully hardy, and your frost dates set a tight window for tender annual vegetables.
Frost probability
WILD RVR SP · 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 North Branch’s own odds, recorded at WILD RVR SP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Jun 14 | Jun 1 | May 15 | Sep 1 | Sep 16 | Sep 30 |
| 32°F | Jun 3 | May 19 | May 2 | Sep 10 | Sep 25 | Oct 8 |
| 28°F | May 22 | May 6 | Apr 23 | Sep 18 | Oct 4 | Oct 19 |
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 North Branch, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 22 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.
North Branch planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in North Branch, MN?
North Branch's average last spring frost falls near May 19 — 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 North Branch, MN?
The first fall frost in North Branch typically arrives around September 25 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is North Branch in?
North Branch 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 North Branch?
There are roughly 129 frost-free days in North Branch (a short growing season), running from the average last frost around May 19 to the first fall frost near September 25.
When should I plant tomatoes in North Branch?
In North Branch, start tomato seeds indoors around March 24–April 7, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 26 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in North Branch
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to North Branch’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Cambridge · 22 km
- East Bethel · 27 km
- Forest Lake · 29 km
- Ham Lake · 34 km
- Hugo · 38 km
- Lino Lakes · 41 km
- Andover · 41 km
- Blaine · 43 km
Frost dates recorded at WILD RVR SP, 16 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 North Branch, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00218986. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/north-branch.