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When to plant Tomatoes in Nicollet County, MN

Spring Tomatoes in Nicollet County goes in May 4–May 25, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Tomatoes in Nicollet County, MN

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Nicollet County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,356 feet, Nicollet County receives approximately 30.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Tomatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Nicollet County, MN (Zone 5a) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Nicollet County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Tomatoes to Grow

10-15 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 tomatoes plants in about 24 sq ft. In Nicollet County's 162-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Nicollet County, MN

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors May 11 May 11 – May 25
Direct Sow May 4 May 4 – May 25
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 – Sep 21

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Nicollet County

Growing Tips for Nicollet County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Nicollet County, MN?

Nicollet County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nicollet County, MN?

Nicollet County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 6.

When should I plant Tomatoes in Nicollet County, MN?

In Nicollet County, MN, plant Tomatoes after the last frost (around April 27) and before the first frost (around October 6). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Nicollet County, MN for Tomatoes?

Nicollet County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Tomatoes grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Tomatoes grow in Nicollet County's climate?

Yes — Tomatoes grows well in Nicollet County's temperate climate. Nicollet County averages a 162-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 27 and first frost around October 6.

🌱

Your Nicollet County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Nicollet County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Nicollet County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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