PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant lemon balm in Minneapolis, Minnesota

April 23 – May 7

Transplant outdoors · typical Minneapolis year

Climate basis: NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN (USC00214884), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Minneapolis (ZCTA 55401 centroid), elevation 754 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant lemon balm outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 23). One year in ten still freezes after May 7.

Last spring freezeApril 231-in-10 after May 7
First fall freezeOctober 161-in-10 before Oct 2
Frost-free season≈ 175 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 14 – Oct 27kills even hardy greens
USDA zone5a-20 to -15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Minneapolis year

Start seeds indoorsMar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant outdoorsApr 23 – May 7
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 7
Lemon Balm in Minneapolis · freeze context from Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Mar 12 – Mar 26

Wisconsin Horticulture sows lemon balm indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost, so the window runs 6 to 4 weeks before that date. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 23). University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Horticulture · Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech

Transplant outdoors

Apr 23 – May 7

Wisconsin Horticulture ties lemon balm transplanting to seedling height rather than a date, so the frost anchor comes from Virginia Cooperative Extension's herb publication — whose herb table lists lemon balm — which sets all herb plants out after the danger of severe frost has passed. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 23). Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech

Variety assumption: A hardy perennial that self-seeds freely; these windows apply to first-year plantings from seed or nursery plants.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (2)

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