Frost dates for ZIP 56621 (Rice Lake, MN)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Itasca Univ Of Minn, MN (16 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostSep 2750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)130 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone3b-35 to -30°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Glacial Ridge (45 mi).
4-inch depth
48°F Below 50°F
24-hour average · latest 50°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Glacial Ridge (45 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 56621 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 48°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | May 3 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 31 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Sep 12 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Sep 27 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 29 | Sep 17 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 18 | Sep 27 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 6 | Oct 8 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 56621
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 18) and first fall frost (Sep 27). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 9–23 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 23–Apr 6 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–23 (transplant) Jul 19–Aug 16 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–23 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) Jun 21–Jul 19 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 18 (transplant) Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–Aug 2 (transplant) Jun 21–Jul 19 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 9–23 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | Jun 21–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 7–28 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 23–Apr 6 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–30 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 6–20 | May 4–25 (transplant) May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 20–May 18 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 27–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 13–May 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 16–30 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 20–May 11 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 5–19 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Jul 19–Aug 2 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 16–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jun 7–21 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 20–27 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 20–27 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 6–20 | Jun 1–15 (transplant) Jun 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 23–Mar 9 | May 25–Jun 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 6–20 | May 25–Jun 8 (transplant) May 25–Jun 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | May 4–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) Apr 27–May 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | Aug 2–16 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 18–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 20–May 4 (transplant) | Jul 19–Aug 16 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Itasca Univ Of Minn, MN (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00214106), elevation 1,490 ft, 15.8 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fosston 1 E, MN | 19 mi | May 15 | Sep 26 |
| Mahnomen, MN | 27 mi | May 7 | Sep 28 |
| Tamarac Wildlife Re, MN | 32 mi | May 5 | Oct 3 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 13 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 56621
When is the last frost in 56621?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 56621 is May 18. For a more cautious planting date, use May 31, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 56621?
The average first fall freeze is September 27. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 12.
What hardiness zone is 56621?
ZIP 56621 is in USDA zone 3b (-35 to -30°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 56621 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
56651 Pine Bend 56676 Shevlin 56566 Naytahwaush 56678 Solway 56542 Fosston 56589 Twin Lakes 56634 Clearbrook 56557 Beaulieu
Other ZIP codes in Clearwater County
56634 56644 56652 56671 56676 All Clearwater County frost dates · Minnesota frost dates
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