Planting Guides

When to Plant Tomatoes in Minneapolis: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 4a

Minneapolis, Minnesota

USDA Zone 4a

Last Frost: May 15

Last updated: November 30, 2025

Learn when to plant tomatoes in Minneapolis with specific dates for Zone 4a. Start seeds indoors March 15-20, transplant outdoors May 21-28, and discover which varieties thrive in Minnesota's short growing season.

November 30, 2025

When to plant tomatoes in Minneapolis - healthy tomato plants in Minnesota garden — — Image © PlantReference.org 2025

Quick Answer

Minneapolis gardeners should start tomato seeds indoors March 15-20 and transplant outdoors May 21-28 after the May 14 last frost date. Focus on early varieties like Stupice and Early Girl that mature within the 138-day growing season ending September 29.

TL;DR

Minneapolis gardeners in Zone 4a should start tomato seeds indoors March 15-20, transplant outdoors May 21-28 after the May 14 last frost date, and focus on cold-hardy varieties like Stupice and Early Girl that mature within the 138-day growing season ending September 29.

Product Recommendations

Burpee Early Girl Hybrid Tomato Seeds

($4-6)— Reliable Zone 4a performer with 50-day maturity

Burpee Early Girl Hybrid Tomato Seeds - 30 Seeds

https://www.burpee.com/vegetables/tomatoes/tomato-early-girl-hybrid-prod000497.html

This F1 hybrid excels in Minneapolis's Zone 4a climate with proven cold tolerance and rapid 50-62 day maturity. Features VFF disease resistance package including Verticillium and Fusarium wilt protection essential for Minnesota's humid summers. Produces medium-sized red slicing tomatoes continuously until frost. Sets fruit reliably at low temperatures when other varieties fail, making it ideal for Minneapolis's variable spring weather. Indeterminate growth habit maximizes harvest from the compressed 138-day growing season. Trusted variety with decades of performance in northern climates.

Price: $4.49-$5.99

Baker Creek Stupice Tomato Seeds

($3-5)— Czech cold-climate heirloom perfect for Minneapolis

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Stupice Tomato

https://www.rareseeds.com/stupice-tomato

Originally bred in Czechoslovakia for cold climates, this heirloom sets fruit at 40°F, perfectly adapted to Minneapolis. Matures in just 52-60 days with harvest beginning mid-July before September frost. Produces flavorful 2-3 inch red tomatoes with excellent sweetness and acidity balance. Potato-leaf foliage distinguishes this variety. Indeterminate habit provides continuous harvest through Minnesota's short season. Open-pollinated allows seed saving. Exceptional cold tolerance makes this the top choice for Zone 4a gardeners seeking reliable production and earliness.

Price: $3.49-$4.95

Johnny's Selected Seeds Sungold F1 Tomato

($5-7)— Premium cherry variety with disease resistance

Johnny's Selected Seeds Sun Gold F1 Cherry Tomato Seeds

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/tomatoes/cherry-tomatoes/sun-gold-f1-tomato-seed-770.html

This exceptional F1 hybrid cherry tomato delivers outstanding flavor with sugar levels often exceeding 9° Brix, creating tropical sweetness. Golden-orange fruits mature in 55-65 days, perfect for Minneapolis's growing season. Features comprehensive disease resistance including Fusarium wilt, Tobacco Mosaic Virus, and Verticillium wilt—crucial protection against Minnesota's humid summers. Indeterminate plants produce abundantly until frost with harvest beginning late July. Thin skin requires daily picking to prevent splitting during thunderstorms. Professional-grade seed quality ensures excellent germination. Premium variety worth the investment for exceptional flavor and reliability.

Price: $5.25-$6.95

Seed Savers Exchange Cherokee Purple Tomato

($4-6)— Heirloom beefsteak for experienced growers

Seed Savers Exchange Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomato Seeds

https://www.seedsavers.org/cherokee-purple-tomato

This legendary heirloom beefsteak produces large purple-brown fruits with complex, smoky flavor unmatched by hybrids. Originated in Tennessee with better adaptation to humid climates. Requires 75-90 day maturity, demanding early start and potentially season extension in Minneapolis. Indeterminate plants reach 6+ feet, requiring strong support. Best grown by experienced gardeners managing longer growing requirements. Fruits often exceed 1 pound with unique gel pockets and rich flavor profile perfect for fresh eating. Open-pollinated allows seed saving. While challenging in Zone 4a, rewards dedicated growers with unparalleled taste and authenticity.

Price: $4.25-$5.75

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I direct sow tomato seeds outdoors in Minneapolis?

Direct sowing is not recommended for Minneapolis due to Zone 4a's cool spring conditions and short growing season. Even cold-tolerant varieties like {Solanum lycopersicum 'Stupice'} require soil temperatures consistently above 60°F (15°C) for germination, which typically doesn't occur until mid to late May. By the time direct-sown seeds germinate and develop transplant-size, the growing season is severely shortened.

Do I need season extension tools like greenhouses or high tunnels in Minneapolis?

Season extension isn't strictly necessary for early varieties like {Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'} and {Solanum lycopersicum 'Stupice'}, which reliably mature within Minneapolis's 138-day growing season. However, season extension significantly improves success with longer-maturing varieties and provides insurance against early frost.

Which diseases are most common for tomatoes in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis's humid summers create ideal conditions for three primary fungal diseases. Early blight (Alternaria solani) appears first, typically in July, causing brown spots with concentric rings on lower leaves. This disease spreads rapidly during the humid conditions following thunderstorms.

What's the latest I can plant tomatoes in Minneapolis and still get a harvest?

The absolute latest transplant date for Minneapolis is June 15, and only with ultra-early varieties like {Solanum lycopersicum 'Stupice'} or {Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'}. Transplanting this late means first harvest wouldn't occur until early to mid-August, providing only 6-8 weeks of production before the September 29 first frost.

Should I grow determinate or indeterminate tomatoes in Minneapolis?

Indeterminate varieties are generally preferred in Minneapolis despite the short growing season. While determinate varieties concentrate their harvest into a shorter window (potentially useful for processing), indeterminate varieties continue producing until frost, maximizing yield from the limited growing season.

How do I protect tomatoes from late spring frosts in Minneapolis?

Late spring frost protection requires monitoring weather forecasts closely and having protective materials ready. When nighttime temperatures below 40°F (4°C) are predicted, even after the May 14 average last frost date, protection becomes essential.

What container size do I need for growing tomatoes in Minneapolis?

Container size directly impacts plant performance and harvest yields in Minneapolis's climate. Minimum container size for determinate varieties is 15 gallons, while indeterminate varieties like {Solanum lycopersicum 'Early Girl'} and {Solanum lycopersicum 'Cherokee Purple'} require 20-25 gallon containers for optimal production.

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