When to Plant Tomatoes in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 30 – May 14 in Minneapolis to May 21 – Jun 4 in Duluth. In Minneapolis, it's Apr 30 – May 14. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 23 in Minneapolis, May 14 in Duluth), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Minnesota by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andover | 4b | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Apple Valley | 5a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Austin | 4b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Blaine | 5a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Bloomington | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Brooklyn Center | 5a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Brooklyn Park | 5a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Burnsville | 5a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Chaska | 4b | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Coon Rapids | 5a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Cottage Grove | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Duluth | 4b | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 |
| Eagan | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Eden Prairie | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Edina | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Elk River | 4b | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Fridley | 5a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Inver Grove Heights | 5a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Lakeville | 4b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 |
| Mankato | 5a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Maple Grove | 5a | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Maplewood | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Minneapolis | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Minnetonka | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Moorhead | 4a | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Oakdale | 5a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Plymouth | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Prior Lake | 4b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Ramsey | 4b | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 |
| Richfield | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Rochester | 4b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Rosemount | 5a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Roseville | 5a | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Savage | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Shakopee | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Shoreview | 5a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| St. Cloud | 4b | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 |
| St. Louis Park | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| St. Paul | 5a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Woodbury | 5a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Minnesota, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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