When to Plant Zucchini

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GardenSays

Start zucchini seeds indoors Apr 7 – Apr 21, transplant outside May 12 – May 19.

Start seeds indoors: Apr 7 – Apr 21
Transplant outside: May 12 – May 19
Last frost (typ.): May 5

In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5. Working back 2-4 weeks gives you a seed-starting window of Apr 7 – Apr 21 indoors. Zucchini plants are even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes, so wait until May 12-May 19 — after frost danger AND once soil hits ~65°F.

That leaves roughly 139 days of growing season before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5) — enough for most varieties. In a short-season area, favor early-maturing varieties (check the days-to-maturity on the tag).

⚠ This year's transplant window (May 12 – May 19) has passed — dates shown are for planning next season.

Why

✓Frost kills tender seedlings outright, and cold soil stunts them even without frost — both dates matter.
✓The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint: a late frost is still possible, so keep covers handy for the first two weeks.

When this doesn't apply

→Season extenders (row covers, walls of water, cold frames) let you plant 2-3 weeks earlier than these windows.
→Frost dates are area averages — low spots and valley floors run colder than the local average.

How this was calculated

1. Last spring frostMay 5
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
2. Seed starting windowApr 7 – Apr 21
Zucchini: start indoors 2-4 weeks before the last frost (May 5)
3. Transplant windowMay 12 – May 19
Zucchini is very frost-tender: go out 7-14 days after the last frost, once soil reaches 65°F
4. First fall frostOct 5
Minneapolis, MN: typical first 32°F frost in fall — the season's endpoint

Data sources

University of Minnesota Extension — Growing summer squash and zucchini in home gardens — Sow seed directly in the garden after the soil has warmed (late May to early June in Minnesota); plastic mulch and row covers allow earlier planting. (checked 2026-07-15)
NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)

Community choice

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