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Minneapolis, Minnesota · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Minneapolis

This month's sowing list for Minneapolis, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

1 vegetable to sow or plant now

1 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 27, and frost is unlikely after about May 13.

Sow or plant in Minneapolis in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

Nothing this month.

Transplant

  • Garlic

Last month to start: garlic.

Ready to pick in October

  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Peas
  • Potato
  • Radish
  • Scallions
  • Strawberry
  • Swiss chard
  • Turnip

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Minneapolis

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April to May.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 17 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to July.

Best time to start: April to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to October.

Best time to start: September to October.

Pick: June to August.

First pick about 39 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: April to May and July to August.

Best time to start: April to May and August.

Pick: June to November.

First pick about 6 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: April to August.

Best time to start: April to May and July to August.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to July.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: February to March.

Transplant: April to May.

Best time to start: April to May.

Pick: July to August.

First pick about 19 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: April to May.

Best time to start: April to May.

Pick: August to November.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: May to June.

Direct sow: May to June.

Transplant: May to June.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to September.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: May to July.

Direct sow: May to July.

Transplant: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to September.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Minneapolis

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BasilTTSSPabout 7 weeks
BeetsSSSSSabout 5 weeks
Bell pepperTTPPPabout 17 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BroccoliTPTPPabout 12 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPabout 18 weeks
Bush beansSSSabout 7 weeks
CabbageTPPPPPabout 12 weeks
CantaloupeTSPabout 10 weeks
CarrotSSSSSabout 7 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTPabout 20 weeks
CeleryTTTPPabout 19 weeks
ChivesTTSSSSPabout 7 weeks
CilantroSSSabout 5 weeks
CucumberSSSPabout 7 weeks
DillSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTPPabout 18 weeks
GarlicPPabout 39 weeks
Hot pepperTTPPabout 19 weeks
KaleTSSSSSPabout 5 weeks
LeekTTPPPPabout 17 weeks
LettuceSSSSabout 6 weeks
OkraSSabout 7 weeks
OnionTTPPabout 19 weeks
ParsleyTTSSSSPabout 7 weeks
PeasSSabout 8 weeks
Pole beansSSSabout 9 weeks
PotatoPPPPabout 9 weeks
RadishSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSSabout 9 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSabout 5 weeks
SpinachSabout 7 weeks
StrawberryPPabout 14 weeks
Sweet cornSSSabout 10 weeks
Sweet potatoPabout 13 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSabout 5 weeks
TomatoTPPPabout 17 weeks
TurnipSSSabout 6 weeks
WatermelonTSabout 11 weeks
Winter squashSSabout 14 weeks
ZucchiniSSSPabout 7 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a quick-maturing (early) variety of: celeriac.

Minneapolis season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, broccoli, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, celeriac, chives, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, kale, lettuce, parsley, peas, pole beans, potato, radish, scallions, spinach, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: broccoli, celeriac, cilantro, lettuce, onion, peas, spinach, strawberry and turnip.

Summer June to August

Time to start: broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cilantro, lettuce, okra, runner beans, sweet potato and turnip.

Last chance for: basil, beets, bell pepper, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, leek, lettuce, okra, pole beans, potato, runner beans, scallions, sweet corn, sweet potato, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: garlic.

Last chance for: arugula, bok choy, chives, cilantro, garlic, kale, parsley and radish.

Winter December to February

Time to start: celeriac, celery, leek and onion.

Last chance for: celeriac.

Frost in Minneapolis

Last frost, most years
around April 27
Frost is unlikely after
about May 13
First frost, most years
around October 13
Frost-free days in a year
about 169

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Harder to grow in Minneapolis

Too cold here: fava beans, parsnip and rutabaga.

Questions about planting in Minneapolis

What can I plant now in Minneapolis?

In October, 1 vegetables can be sown or planted in Minneapolis, including garlic. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, sow tomatoes indoors from April to May and transplant them from May to July. The best time to start is in May. Picking runs from August to September.

When should I plant potatoes in Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, plant potatoes from April to July. The best time to start is from April to July. Picking runs from July to October.

When should I plant garlic in Minneapolis?

In Minneapolis, plant garlic from September to October. The best time to start is from September to October. Picking runs from June to August.

When is the last frost in Minneapolis?

In most years the last frost in Minneapolis comes around April 27. Frost is unlikely after about May 13, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 13.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Minneapolis?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 4 weeks), beets (about 5 weeks), cilantro (about 5 weeks), scallions (about 5 weeks), Swiss chard (about 5 weeks) and lettuce (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

Other cities

What to plant now in New York · What to plant now in Boston · What to plant now in Chicago · What to plant now in Cleveland · What to plant now in Philadelphia · What to plant now in Washington DC · What to plant now in Detroit · What to plant now in Charlotte · What to plant now in Nashville · What to plant now in St. Louis · What to plant now in Kansas City · What to plant now in Salt Lake City · What to plant now in Sacramento · What to plant now in Atlanta · What to plant now in Dallas · What to plant now in Houston · What to plant now in Austin · What to plant now in Denver · What to plant now in Phoenix · What to plant now in Seattle · What to plant now in Portland · What to plant now in Los Angeles · What to plant now in San Diego

These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Minneapolis. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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