When to plant in Richfield, MN
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Richfield, Minnesota — all computed from Richfield's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5a means Richfield 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 Richfield is now 8 days later than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL 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 Richfield’s own odds, recorded at MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | May 3 | Apr 20 | Sep 24 | Oct 6 | Oct 20 |
| 32°F | May 7 | Apr 23 | Apr 8 | Oct 1 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F | Apr 28 | Apr 13 | Apr 1 | Oct 15 | Oct 29 | Nov 11 |
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 Richfield, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 12 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.
Richfield planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Richfield, MN?
Plan for the last spring frost in Richfield around April 23 (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 Richfield, MN?
The first fall frost in Richfield typically arrives around October 18 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Richfield in?
Richfield 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 Richfield?
There are roughly 178 frost-free days in Richfield (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 23 to the first fall frost near October 18.
When should I plant tomatoes in Richfield?
In Richfield, 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 Richfield
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Richfield’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Bloomington · 6 km
- Edina · 6 km
- Minneapolis · 10 km
- St. Louis Park · 11 km
- Hopkins · 11 km
- Eagan · 11 km
- Mendota Heights · 12 km
- Burnsville · 12 km
Frost dates recorded at MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL AP, 4 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 Richfield, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00014922. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/richfield.