What to plant this week in St. Paul, MN
St. Paul gardeners are in a deep winter wait mode this week, with no outdoor planting or harvesting possible as temperatures hover far below freezing. The long frost-free window ahead means you should focus your energy indoors on starting seedlings for the May 8th average last frost date.
The next 7 days
St. Paul, MNGrowing in St. Paul right now
- Stagnant water forms quickly in our clay-heavy river valley soils during cold snaps, so ensure drainage trenches are clear before spring thaw to prevent root rot when temperatures rise.
- The cold winds off Lake Minnesota create a unique microclimate that can delay soil warming by several weeks; use black plastic mulch immediately upon planting to combat this chill.
- While the city center offers slightly warmer air pockets than the surrounding suburbs, extreme lows of -20°F mean all outdoor plants remain dormant until late April at the earliest.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
No harvest windows opening just yet.
Seasonal tips
- Finish clearing debris from last year's garden to reduce winter pests and diseases.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over perennial beds once the ground has frozen solid to prevent heaving.
- Plan your spring succession schedule by calculating days-to-maturity for crops you want in early summer.
Pest & disease watch
- Hornworms are inactive in current freezing conditions but begin migrating from southern states as soon as daytime highs consistently reach 50°F next week.
- Cedar-apple rust spores settle on host plants during winter dormancy, so inspect your Eastern Red Cedar trees early in spring before the first bloom cycle begins.
- Snow mold can persist under snow cover into March if there is prolonged wetness and lack of sun; wait until the ground fully thaws to apply preventative fungicides.
Watering this week
Avoid watering the garden until the ground thaws to prevent ice formation that could damage root systems.
Now is an excellent time to sharpen your tools and organize your seed inventory so you are ready to plant immediately when the frost date passes.
St. Paul gardening questions
3When should I start my tomatoes indoors for St. Paul?
Start tomato seeds inside 6-8 weeks before your average last frost date of May 8th, meaning you should begin sowing around late February to early March.
Do I need to amend the soil in my yard before spring planting?
Because our local soil tends to be heavy and retains moisture poorly during freeze-thaw cycles, mix in generous amounts of compost or aged manure now to improve drainage for next season's crops.
Can I plant garlic outdoors right now in St. Paul?
No, while garlic loves the cold, planting it before the ground freezes solid risks rotting cloves; wait until late October when soil temperatures drop significantly to avoid frost damage during establishment.
Other cities in zone 5a
6See the full zone 5a guide → · Plan your St. Paul garden in SproutGuide →