Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Bemidji, MN
Plan your garden around Bemidji, MN's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
May 17
Safe May 30
Typical May 17
Risky May 3
First Fall Frost
September 26
Safe Sep 12
Typical Sep 26
Risky Oct 11
Growing Season
131 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 3b
Very cold winters, focus on short-season varieties and cold-hardy perennials.
Data: NOAA station CASS LAKE, MN US, 22.3 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | May 24 – May 31 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | May 31 – Jun 7 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 24 – May 31 | May 24 – May 31 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Apr 26 – May 3 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – May 31 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – May 31 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 31 – Jun 7 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | — | May 31 – Jun 7 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | May 17 – May 31 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | May 17 – May 31 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 22 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 1 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | May 3 – May 10 | Jul 18 – Jul 25 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 18 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 1 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 5 – Apr 12 | — | May 24 – May 31 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 10 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | May 17 – May 24 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | May 17 – May 24 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – May 31 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | May 24 – May 31 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | May 24 – Jun 7 | May 24 – May 31 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | May 24 – Jun 7 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Bemidji, MN?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the CASS LAKE, MN US station, the last spring frost in Bemidji typically falls around May 17. A cautious gardener might wait until May 30 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while May 3 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Bemidji, MN in fall?
The first fall frost in Bemidji typically arrives around September 26. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as September 12; in milder years it can hold off until October 11.
How long is the growing season in Bemidji, MN?
Bemidji's average frost-free growing season is about 131 days, running from the typical last spring frost (May 17) to the typical first fall frost (September 26).
What USDA hardiness zone is Bemidji, MN in?
Bemidji, MN is in USDA plant hardiness zone 3b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Very cold winters, focus on short-season varieties and cold-hardy perennials.