FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in Minnesota

In a typical Minnesota location, start seeds indoors Apr 2 – Apr 9, then sow outdoors May 7 – May 21, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 28 in Winona and as late as Jun 12 in Hibbing.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
MinneapolisMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
Saint PaulMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8
RochesterApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
BloomingtonMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
DuluthApr 16 – Apr 23May 21 – Jun 4May 21 – May 28
Brooklyn ParkApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
PlymouthApr 1 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20May 6 – May 13
Maple GroveApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
WoodburyMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
EaganMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
Saint CloudApr 9 – Apr 16May 14 – May 28May 14 – May 21
Eden PrairieMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
West Coon RapidsApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
Coon RapidsApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
BlaineApr 7 – Apr 14May 12 – May 26May 12 – May 19
BurnsvilleMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
LakevilleMar 30 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
MinnetonkaApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
Apple ValleyMar 30 – Apr 6May 4 – May 18May 4 – May 11
EdinaMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
Minnetonka MillsApr 1 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20May 6 – May 13
Saint Louis ParkApr 1 – Apr 8May 6 – May 20May 6 – May 13
MoorheadApr 7 – Apr 14May 12 – May 26May 12 – May 19
MankatoApr 2 – Apr 9May 7 – May 21May 7 – May 14
MaplewoodMar 29 – Apr 5May 3 – May 17May 3 – May 10
ShakopeeMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
RichfieldMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
Cottage GroveMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 30 – May 14Apr 30 – May 7
RosevilleMar 31 – Apr 7May 5 – May 19May 5 – May 12
Inver Grove HeightsMar 27 – Apr 3May 1 – May 15May 1 – May 8

Showing the 30 most populous of 104 Minnesota cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Minnesota cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant winter squash in Minnesota?

In a typical Minnesota location, start seeds indoors Apr 2 – Apr 9, then sow outdoors May 7 – May 21, then transplant outdoors May 7 – May 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 28 in Winona and as late as Jun 12 in Hibbing.

When is the last frost in Minnesota?

The average last spring frost in Minnesota ranges from April 21 in Winona to June 5 in Hibbing, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in Minnesota

When to plant winter squash in other states

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