When to plant in Shakopee, MN
USDA Zone 5aHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Shakopee, Minnesota — all computed from Shakopee's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5a means Shakopee 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 Shakopee 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 Shakopee’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 Shakopee, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 13 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.
Shakopee planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Shakopee, MN?
Shakopee's average last spring frost falls near April 23 — 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 Shakopee, MN?
The first fall frost in Shakopee typically arrives around October 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Shakopee in?
Shakopee 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 Shakopee?
There are roughly 174 frost-free days in Shakopee (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 Shakopee?
In Shakopee, 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 Shakopee
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Shakopee’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Prior Lake · 6 km
- Eden Prairie · 9 km
- Savage · 9 km
- Chanhassen · 11 km
- Chaska · 12 km
- Bloomington · 14 km
- Burnsville · 16 km
- Edina · 16 km
Frost dates recorded at MPLS FLYING CLOUD AP, 7 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 Shakopee, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 5a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094963. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/shakopee.