When to plant in Red Wing, MN
USDA Zone 4bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Red Wing, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 4b is cold — in Red Wing, most perennials must be fully hardy, and your frost dates set a tight window for tender annual vegetables.
The average first fall frost in Red Wing is now 7 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
RED WING DAM 3 · 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 Red Wing’s own odds, recorded at RED WING DAM 3.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 19 | May 4 | Apr 21 | Sep 20 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Sep 28 | Oct 14 | Oct 28 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 12 | Apr 1 | Oct 10 | Oct 25 | Nov 7 |
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 Red Wing, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 29 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.
Red Wing planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Red Wing, MN?
On average, the last spring frost in Red Wing 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 Red Wing, MN?
The first fall frost in Red Wing typically arrives around October 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Red Wing in?
Red Wing 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 Red Wing?
There are roughly 174 frost-free days in Red Wing (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 14.
When should I plant tomatoes in Red Wing?
In Red Wing, start tomato seeds indoors around February 26–March 12, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 30 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Red Wing
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Red Wing’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hastings · 26 km
- River Falls · 31 km
- Cottage Grove · 36 km
- Rosemount · 41 km
- Hudson · 44 km
- Woodbury · 44 km
- Inver Grove Heights · 45 km
- Farmington · 45 km
Frost dates recorded at RED WING DAM 3, 3 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 Red Wing, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00216822. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/red-wing.