When to plant in Prior Lake, MN
USDA Zone 4bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Prior Lake, Minnesota — all computed from Prior Lake's nearest NOAA weather station.
In zone 4b, Prior Lake winters are severe; choose cold-hardy perennials and time annuals carefully around the frost dates above.
The average first fall frost in Prior Lake is now 6 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MPLS FLYING CLOUD AP · 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 Prior Lake’s own odds, recorded at MPLS FLYING CLOUD AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 16 | May 3 | Apr 21 | Sep 20 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 23 | Apr 9 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | Apr 26 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 9 | Oct 25 | Nov 8 |
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 Prior Lake, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 18 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.
Prior Lake planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Prior Lake, MN?
On average, the last spring frost in Prior Lake is around April 23 (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 Prior Lake, MN?
The first fall frost in Prior Lake typically arrives around October 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Prior Lake in?
Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake?
Prior Lake has about 174 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 23) and first fall frost (October 14).
When should I plant tomatoes in Prior Lake?
For Prior Lake, sow tomatoes indoors about February 26–March 12 and move the seedlings out around April 30, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Prior Lake
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Prior Lake’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Shakopee · 6 km
- Savage · 7 km
- Burnsville · 13 km
- Eden Prairie · 14 km
- Bloomington · 15 km
- Lakeville · 16 km
- Chaska · 17 km
- Chanhassen · 17 km
Frost dates recorded at MPLS FLYING CLOUD AP, 12 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 Prior Lake, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094963. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/prior-lake.