When to plant in Stillwater, MN
USDA Zone 4bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Stillwater, Minnesota — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Zone 4b is cold — in Stillwater, most perennials must be fully hardy, and your frost dates set a tight window for tender annual vegetables.
Frost probability
STILLWATER 2SW · 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 Stillwater’s own odds, recorded at STILLWATER 2SW.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 23 | May 8 | Apr 26 | Sep 20 | Oct 2 | Oct 14 |
| 32°F | May 13 | Apr 30 | Apr 17 | Sep 28 | Oct 11 | Oct 23 |
| 28°F | May 2 | Apr 20 | Apr 6 | Oct 10 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 |
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 Stillwater, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 20 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.
Stillwater planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Stillwater, MN?
Stillwater's average last spring frost falls near April 30 — 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 Stillwater, MN?
The first fall frost in Stillwater typically arrives around October 11 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Stillwater in?
Stillwater 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 Stillwater?
There are roughly 164 frost-free days in Stillwater (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 30 to the first fall frost near October 11.
When should I plant tomatoes in Stillwater?
In Stillwater, start tomato seeds indoors around March 5–March 19, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 7 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Stillwater
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Stillwater’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Lake Elmo · 10 km
- Oakdale · 13 km
- Hudson · 13 km
- White Bear Lake · 14 km
- North St. Paul · 14 km
- Hugo · 16 km
- Maplewood · 16 km
- Woodbury · 18 km
Frost dates recorded at STILLWATER 2SW, 2 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 Stillwater, MN — Frost Dates & Zone 4b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00218039. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/minnesota/stillwater.