Planting calendar for Minneapolis, Minnesota

Dates from 30 years of records at the Lower St Anthony Falls weather station, 0.8 miles from Minneapolis, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Minneapolis at a glance

Weather station: Lower St Anthony Falls · 0.8 mi
USDA zone: 5a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 23; 1 year in 10 after May 7
First fall frost: typically Oct 16; 1 year in 10 before Oct 2
Frost-free season: about 176 days
Hottest month: July: highs 83°F, nights 64°F
Coldest month: January: highs 22°F, nights 8°F
Rain: 34 in. a year, most in June, July and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Minneapolis typically comes around Apr 23, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 7. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 16. That leaves about 176 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summers are mild, with highs around 83°F in July, so cool-season crops last longer here than in hotter places: leaf lettuce is best planted Jul 17–Aug 29.

Minneapolis gets about 34 inches of rain a year, most of it in June, July and August.

154 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 20 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Minneapolis, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Leek, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

February0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Catnip, Lovage, Parsley, Statice, Stock

March9

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cabbage, Kale, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Arugula, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Radish

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Catnip, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Ground cherry, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Strawflower

April49

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Leek, Mustard greens, Parsnip, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Snapdragon, Statice, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Shallot, Spinach, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Borage, Chervil, Cilantro, Feverfew, Sage, Blueberry, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Eggplant, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Annual salvia, Marigold, Milkweed (native)

May44

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cardoon, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Chives, Epazote, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Thyme

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry

Flowers: Milkweed (native), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sorrel (French / garden), Tarragon (French), Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pansy / viola, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Snapdragon, Stock, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice

June64

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Leek, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Sage, Stevia, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, California poppy, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Fennel (bulb), Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Popcorn, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Basil, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Blueberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July67

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, Endive & escarole, Fennel (bulb), Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Rutabaga, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Cilantro, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon, Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Beet, Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mustard greens, Okinawa spinach, Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Chervil, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Pansy / viola, Stock

Start seeds indoors

Lettuce (romaine & head)

August37

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

September6

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November0

Too cold to plant outdoors. A good month to plan beds and order seeds.

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Minneapolis

154 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	May 26–Jun 9, Jul 29–Aug 17	Jun 10–Jul 28	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	May 11–25, Jun 27–Jul 17	May 26–Jun 26	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–May 21	Feb 5–19	Set out plants
Arugula	Apr 4–22, Jul 25–Sep 8	Mar 17–Apr 3, Apr 23–May 18, Jul 4–24	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Mar 26–Apr 19	Apr 20–May 21	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	May 11–25, Jul 11–Aug 1	May 26–Jul 10	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	May 11–25, Jun 6–27	May 26–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	May 26–Jun 9, Jun 12–Jul 2	—	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	May 11–25, Jul 1–22	May 26–Jun 30	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Mar 26–Apr 16, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 17–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	May 11–25, Jun 29–Jul 20	May 26–Jun 28	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Jul 18–Aug 10	Apr 9–22, Jun 30–Jul 17	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Jun 15–29	Jun 30–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 10–Jul 19	Feb 12–26, Jun 8–28	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Jul 22–Aug 27	Mar 26–May 1, Jun 26–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jul 1–22	Apr 10–Jun 30	Feb 12–26, May 20–Jun 10	Set out plants
Cabbage	Mar 19–Apr 2, Jul 7–28	Apr 3–Jul 6	Feb 5–19, May 26–Jun 16	Set out plants
Cardoon	Apr 23–May 7	May 8–Jun 3	Feb 19–Mar 5	Set out plants
Carrot	Apr 2–23, Jul 17–Aug 7	Apr 24–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Apr 2–16, Jul 6–26	Apr 17–May 28, Jun 1–Jul 5	Feb 19–Mar 5, May 25–Jun 14	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Apr 16–30, Jun 2–23	May 1–Jun 1	Jan 29–Feb 12, Mar 17–Apr 7	Set out plants
Celery	Apr 28–May 12, May 29–Jun 19	May 13–28	Feb 10–24, Mar 13–Apr 3	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Apr 16–30	May 1–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Apr 2–23, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 24–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jul 31–Aug 21	Apr 10–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	May 11–25, Jul 4–25	May 26–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	May 11–25, Jul 2–22	May 26–Jul 1	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Apr 2–16, Jul 27–Aug 17	Apr 17–May 8, Jun 24–Jul 26	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	May 26–Jun 9, Jun 14–Jul 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	May 26–Jun 9, Jun 17–Jul 7	Jun 10–16	Mar 24–Apr 7, Apr 15–May 5	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Sep 25–Oct 30	—	—	Sow seeds
Endive & escarole	Apr 2–12, Jun 18–Jul 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Apr 9–23, Jun 28–Jul 19	Apr 24–29, Jun 14–27	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Apr 15–May 6, Aug 11–Sep 12	Apr 9–14, May 7–Jun 1, Jul 20–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Sep 25–Oct 30	—	—	Sow seeds
Green onion / scallion	Mar 26–Apr 9	Apr 10–May 21	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Mar 12–Apr 2, Aug 13–Sep 2	Apr 3–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Mar 26–Apr 9, Aug 4–24	Apr 10–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jul 14–Sep 1	Apr 23–May 21, Jun 23–Jul 13	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jun 21–Jul 12	Apr 10–Jun 20	Jan 22–Feb 5, Apr 19–May 10	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Jul 17–Aug 29	Mar 26–May 11, Jun 27–Jul 16	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jul 11–Aug 12	Apr 2–22, Jun 17–Jul 10	Jun 6–Jul 8	Set out plants
Mache (corn salad)	Aug 17–Sep 10	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jul 28–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Jun 15–Jul 12	—	Apr 27–May 24	Set out plants
Moringa	Jun 15–Jul 4	—	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Apr 1–17, Jul 26–Sep 6	Mar 17–31, Apr 18–May 6, Jul 1–25	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jul 9–Aug 7	Apr 9–27, Jun 12–Jul 8	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	May 11–25, Jul 4–24	May 26–Jul 3	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Jun 15–29	Jun 30–Jul 22	—	Set out plants
Okra	Jun 15–29, Jul 2–19	—	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	May 18–Jul 3	Mar 12–May 17	Mar 2–Apr 17	Set out plants
Parsnip	Apr 2–23	Apr 24–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Mar 22–Apr 5, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 6–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Mar 22–Apr 5, Jul 25–Aug 14	Apr 6–Jul 24	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	May 17–31, Jun 9–30	Jun 1–8	Mar 15–29, Apr 7–28	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	May 11–25, Jun 19–Jul 10	May 26–Jun 18	Mar 9–23, Apr 17–May 8	Set out plants
Popcorn	May 11–18	May 19–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Potato	May 24–Jun 29	Apr 4–May 23	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	May 11–Jun 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	May 26–Jun 9, Jul 10–31	Jun 10–Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Mar 26–Apr 2	Apr 3–19	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Apr 6–May 2, Aug 10–Sep 20	Mar 19–Apr 5, May 3–29, Jul 18–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Mar 26–Apr 23	Apr 24–May 21	—	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Mar 26–Apr 2, Jul 6–27	Jun 4–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Apr 2–23, May 13–Jun 3	Apr 24–May 12	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Mar 12–26, Jun 26–Jul 17	Mar 27–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Jun 15–Jul 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Mar 13–Apr 6, Aug 12–Sep 15	Mar 12, Apr 7–26, Jul 4–Aug 11	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	May 11–25, Jul 7–27	May 26–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Apr 25–May 16	Apr 4–24	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	May 11–18, Jun 19–Jul 9	May 19–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds
Swiss chard	Apr 2–23, Aug 1–22	Apr 24–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	May 11–25	May 26–Jul 7	Mar 30–Apr 13	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	May 11–25, Jul 4–24	May 26–Jul 3	Mar 23–Apr 6, May 16–Jun 5	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Apr 30–May 7, Jul 9–29	May 8–Jul 8	Mar 12–19, May 21–Jun 10	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	May 26–Jun 9, Jun 21–Jul 12	Jun 10–20	Apr 7–21, May 3–24	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	May 11–25, Jun 21–Jul 12	May 26–Jun 20	Mar 23–Apr 6, May 3–24	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	May 11–25, Jun 19–Jul 9	May 26–Jun 18	Mar 23–Apr 6, May 1–21	Set out plants
Turnip	Mar 26–Apr 9, Aug 6–27	Apr 10–Aug 5	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Apr 2–16	Apr 17–May 28	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	May 26–Jun 5	—	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	May 11–Jun 15	—	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Jun 15–Jul 8	—	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	May 26–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 25	Apr 11–May 4	Set out plants
Basil	May 26–Jun 2, Jul 2–22	Jun 3–Jul 1	Apr 21–28, May 28–Jun 17	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	May 26–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 25	Apr 7–30	Set out plants
Borage	Jun 24–Aug 8	Apr 16–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Apr 2–16, Jul 7–28	Apr 17–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Apr 9–30	May 1–21	Feb 19–Mar 12	Set out plants
Chamomile	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 10–Jul 21	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Jul 26–Aug 27	Apr 2–22, Jun 29–Jul 25	—	Sow seeds
Chives	May 24–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 23	Apr 5–30	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jul 12–Aug 19	Apr 9–25, Jun 19–Jul 11	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	Jun 20–Jul 18	May 26–Jun 19, Jul 19–21	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Jun 15–Jul 8	—	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Apr 9–16, Jul 23–Aug 13	Apr 17–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	May 11–25, Jul 16–Aug 6	May 26–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Jul 19–Aug 25	Apr 23–May 23, Jul 4–18	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	May 26–Jun 11	Apr 16–May 25	Apr 7–23	Set out plants
Garlic chives	May 24–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 23	Apr 5–30	Set out plants
Lavender	May 25–Jun 18	Apr 30–May 24	Mar 9–Apr 2	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Apr 18–May 9	Apr 9–17, May 10–21	Mar 14–Apr 4	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	May 25–Jun 18	Apr 30–May 24	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	Jun 15–22	—	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Apr 9–23	Apr 24–May 21	Feb 19–Mar 5	Set out plants
Marjoram	May 25–Jun 18	Apr 30–May 24	Apr 6–30	Set out plants
Mint	Apr 14–May 5	Apr 9–13, May 6–21	—	Set out plants
Oregano	May 21–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 20	Apr 2–30	Set out plants
Papalo	May 26–Jun 9	Jun 10–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Apr 2–16, Jul 7–28	Apr 17–Jul 6	Jan 29–Feb 12, May 5–26	Set out plants
Rosemary	May 25–Jun 18	Apr 30–May 24	Mar 9–Apr 2	Set out plants
Sage	May 24–Jun 11	Apr 16–May 23	Apr 5–23	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	May 11–18	May 19–Jul 19	Apr 6–13	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Apr 2–30	May 1–28	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	Jun 9–25	May 26–Jun 8, Jun 26–27	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Apr 28–May 12	May 13–Jul 22	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	May 30–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 29	—	Set out plants
Thyme	May 21–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 20	Mar 26–Apr 23	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Jun 8–Jul 6	May 11–Jun 7	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	May 30–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 29	Apr 11–30	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 27–Apr 9	Apr 10–May 29	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Mar 27–Apr 2	Apr 3–Jun 12	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 26–Jun 27	—	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	May 11–25	May 26–Jul 12	Apr 6–20	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 27–Apr 23	Apr 24–May 8	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	May 11–25	May 26–Jul 17	Mar 23–Apr 6	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 26–Apr 9	Apr 10–May 21	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Apr 4–May 2	Mar 26–Apr 3, May 3–21	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 26–Jun 25	—	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 12–Jul 25	May 11–Jun 11, Jul 26–Aug 6	Apr 3–May 16	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 28–Apr 18, Jun 24–Aug 9	Mar 26–27, Apr 19–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	May 31–Jul 8	Apr 23–May 30, Jul 9	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Apr 9–27, Jul 6–Aug 24	Apr 28–Jul 5	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 28–Apr 18, Jun 24–Aug 9	Mar 26–27, Apr 19–Jun 23	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Jun 15–30	—	Apr 27–May 12	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	Jun 7–Jul 5	May 11–Jun 6, Jul 6–7	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	May 28–Jul 18	Mar 26–May 27	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 13–Jul 9	May 26–Jun 12, Jul 10–17	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 13–Jul 9	May 26–Jun 12, Jul 10–17	Apr 25–May 21	Set out plants
Larkspur	Mar 12–Apr 2	Apr 3–14	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 11–Jul 22	May 11–Jun 10, Jul 23–Aug 1	Apr 23–Jun 3	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	May 22–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 21	Apr 17–May 14	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Jun 22–Aug 6	Apr 28–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Mar 12–Apr 2, Aug 19–Sep 8	Apr 3–May 10, Jul 17–Aug 18	Jun 3–23, Dec 25–Jan 15	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 30–Jul 24	Jun 15–29, Jul 25–Aug 3	Apr 28–May 22	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	May 31–Jun 18	Apr 23–May 30	Mar 15–Apr 2	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Mar 26–Apr 9, Jun 27–Jul 18	Apr 10–15, May 22–Jun 26	Jan 22–Feb 5, Apr 25–May 16	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 23–May 7, Jul 8–29	May 8–Jul 7	Feb 19–Mar 5, May 6–27	Set out plants
Stock	Apr 9–23, Aug 6–27	Apr 24–May 13, Jun 29–Aug 5	Feb 5–19, Jun 4–25	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 28–May 12, Jul 16–Aug 5	May 13–Jul 15	Mar 10–24, May 28–Jun 17	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 6–Jul 2	May 11–Jun 5	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Apr 5–28, Jul 8–Aug 26	Apr 2–4, Apr 29–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Mar 22–Apr 19	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 14–Jul 11	May 26–Jun 13, Jul 12–19	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Minneapolis

These need a climate Minneapolis doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Fig: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 22°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Ginger: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 270 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Luffa gourd: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Muscadine grape: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 26°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 8°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Sweet potato: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.
Winged bean: The frost-free season (about 176 days) is shorter than the 105 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Sioux Falls, SD 197 mi · last frost around May 1
Fargo, ND 214 mi · last frost around May 5
Des Moines, IA 234 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Omaha, NE 291 mi · last frost around Apr 18
Milwaukee, WI 298 mi · last frost around Apr 26
All Minnesota cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Lower St Anthony Falls station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).