When to plant in Northfield, MN
USDA Zone 4bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Northfield, Minnesota — all computed from Northfield's nearest NOAA weather station.
Northfield's nearest full-normals station sits about 18 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. In zone 4b, Northfield winters are severe; choose cold-hardy perennials and time annuals carefully around the frost dates above.
The average first fall frost in Northfield is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
FARIBAULT · 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 Northfield’s own odds, recorded at FARIBAULT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 29 | May 15 | May 1 | Sep 12 | Sep 27 | Oct 9 |
| 32°F | May 19 | May 5 | Apr 22 | Sep 21 | Oct 5 | Oct 17 |
| 28°F | May 10 | Apr 26 | Apr 11 | Oct 1 | Oct 13 | Oct 27 |
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 Northfield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 30 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.
Northfield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Northfield, MN?
Plan for the last spring frost in Northfield around May 5 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Northfield, MN?
Expect Northfield's first fall frost near October 5 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Northfield in?
Northfield 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 Northfield?
Northfield has about 153 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (October 5).
When should I plant tomatoes in Northfield?
For Northfield, sow tomatoes indoors about March 10–March 24 and move the seedlings out around May 12, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Northfield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Northfield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Faribault · 19 km
- Farmington · 23 km
- Lakeville · 25 km
- Apple Valley · 32 km
- Rosemount · 33 km
- Burnsville · 35 km
- Prior Lake · 37 km
- Savage · 37 km
Frost dates recorded at FARIBAULT, 18 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 Northfield, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00212721. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/northfield.