What to plant this week in Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis gardeners are in the final sprint before the first frost of October 8th, with a critical window to harvest late-season giants like pumpkins and winter squash. While the thermometer may flirt with -20°F lows for months, your immediate focus is pulling those heat-loving crops—watermelons, bush beans, and zinnias—before night air turns them to mush.
The next 7 days
Minneapolis, MNGrowing in Minneapolis right now
- The rich, clay-heavy soils of the Twin Cities hold moisture well but freeze solid quickly; mulch heavily now with straw or leaves to protect perennials from our notorious January cold snaps. With an average last frost date of May 8th behind us, you have no time for new sowings this week; focus entirely on cutting back annuals and lifting tender roots like dahlias before the ground locks up.
- Minneapolis often sees unpredictable October rainstorms that can rot over-mature squash; ensure good drainage around your pumpkin and winter squash mounds to prevent soft rot before storage. The region's short growing season means every day counts, so prioritize harvesting garlic in early-to-mid October while it is still dry and sunny.
- Our local terrain often features poor drainage in low-lying neighborhoods near the Mississippi river bends; check that your edamame and sunflower roots aren't sitting in waterlogged soil which could invite root rot before harvest.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
44 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Nasturtium
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Focus on soil preparation now by adding compost and organic matter to improve drainage before spring thaw.
- Clean up garden debris and remove winter weeds that may have survived under snow cover.
- Plan your succession planting schedule based on the May 8th last frost date for warm-weather crops.
Pest & disease watch
- Late-season flea beetles can still chew holes into remaining brassicas like Brussels sprouts if frost hasn't hit yet, so inspect leaves daily for damage.
- Powdery mildew often makes a comeback on cucurbits (cucumbers, squash) in our humid fall weather; prune air circulation and apply a sulfur spray if you see white dusting on leaves.
- Cutworms may still emerge from their cocoons to attack the stems of late-planted pole beans and corn stalks right before frost.
Watering this week
Skip outdoor watering entirely until the ground thaws, but ensure storage areas stay dry.
Use this quiet time to order seeds for your summer crops like Watermelon, Zucchini, and Sunflower so they arrive by late winter.
Minneapolis gardening questions
3Can I transplant anything new this week in Minneapolis?
No, with an average first frost date of October 8th, it is too risky to introduce any new transplants or seedlings into the ground now. You should strictly focus on harvesting your existing crops and protecting established perennials.
When exactly should I lift my garlic bulbs for Minneapolis storage?
In Zone 5a, aim to harvest your garlic when the lower leaves have turned brown but about 30% of the green foliage remains standing. Pull them on dry days after a light rain if possible, and cure them in a shady, well-ventilated spot away from direct sun.
How do I prepare my squash for winter storage given our cold climate?
Harvest your pumpkins and winter squash when they have developed a deep rind color and the stem is still attached; cut the stem rather than snapping it to prevent rot entry points. Do not wash them before curing, as moisture promotes fungal growth during this critical hardening-off period.
Other cities in zone 5a
6See the full zone 5a guide → · Plan your Minneapolis garden in SproutGuide →