Spring has finally landed in the Chisago Lakes area, and if you're heading out this weekend to start planting, we have a strong opinion on where to go. Skip the big box stores. The best plants — and the best advice — come from the locally-owned garden centers that have been growing this region for decades.
Below are five of our favorite locally-owned garden centers near Chisago Lakes MN, plus what's actually safe to plant this week, how this part of Minnesota's growing zone works, and which spots are worth the drive depending on what you're after.
Planting in Chisago Lakes MN: What the Local Data Says
Before you load up the cart at any garden center, it helps to know what the local climate is actually doing. Chisago County is small but the planting math is specific — and the difference between planting on May 12 and May 24 can be the difference between a thriving garden and a frost-bitten one.
USDA Hardiness Zone (Chisago Lakes area): 4b
Average last spring frost: May 15–24 (90% safe by May 24)
Average first fall frost: September 24 – October 13
Average growing season: ~145 days
Safest week to plant tender annuals: Mid-to-late May, after a 7-day forecast with no overnight lows below 40°F
This week, the forecast across Chisago City, Lindstrom, and Forest Lake is showing highs in the high 70s and low 80s with no overnight frost risk, which is why the local garden centers are seeing weekend traffic right now. If you've been waiting, this is your window.
5 Local Garden Centers Near Chisago Lakes MN Worth the Drive
These are the five we send people to. All five are family-owned, all five grow or curate plants for this specific climate, and none of them are part of a national chain. We've ordered them by proximity to Chisago City — but every one of these is within a 30-minute drive.
1. Wosika Farm & Garden — Chisago City, MN
If you only have time to hit one spot this weekend, make it Wosika. Located right in Chisago City on Wyoming Trail, this farm-and-greenhouse combo is the closest thing to a true Chisago Lakes hidden gem. They grow their own perennials, tomato plants, and annuals on site, the prices are some of the fairest in the area, and the setting itself is part of the appeal — ducks and farm animals roaming the property while you shop.
Best for: home-grown perennials, vegetable starts, and a relaxed Saturday morning that feels more like a visit to a friend's farm than a shopping run.
2. Olympic Trail Greenhouse — Lindstrom, MN
Family-owned since 1991, Olympic Trail Greenhouse on Olympic Trail in Lindstrom has built one of the most loyal followings of any garden center in Chisago County. They grow over 90% of their plants right on site, carry more than 1,000 varieties of annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetable plants, and hanging baskets, and round out the selection with a small inventory of trees, shrubs, and hand-crafted ceramic pots.
Best for: hanging baskets, fuchsias, herbs, and the kind of personalized advice you only get from a small operation. John and the team know their plants — bring questions.
3. Juniper Jewell Garden Treasures — St. Croix Falls, WI
Worth crossing the river for. Juniper Jewell on WI-35 in St. Croix Falls is the newest spot on this list and has quickly built a reputation for hands-on owners who care more about the plants than the margins. The selection ranges from standard spring annuals to a surprising assortment of cactus and specialty plants — the kind of variety you don't usually find at a small-town garden center.
Best for: variety, specialty plants (including cactus), and supporting a newer small business. About a 20-minute drive from Lindstrom.
4. Abrahamson Nurseries — Scandia, MN
Abrahamson Nurseries on St. Croix Trail North in Scandia is the largest of the five and has the deepest selection in the area. Trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, and an enormous hanging basket display — and a thoughtful touch that's worth noting: their hanging baskets are clearly labeled by sun exposure (full sun, partial shade, full shade) so you don't have to guess. The drive from Chisago City through Scandia is one of the more scenic spring drives in the north metro.
Best for: trees and shrubs, bigger landscape projects, and anyone planning a multi-bed planting day. Open seven days a week with extended weekday hours.
5. Applewood Nursery & Landscape Supply — Forest Lake, MN
Our hometown pick. Applewood on Green Lake Trail in Forest Lake is the most full-service option on the list — it's a nursery and a landscape supply yard, so if your spring project involves rock, mulch, soil, or boulder work in addition to plants, you can knock everything out in one trip. The plant selection is solid; the bigger draw is having a local supplier for the heavier landscape materials.
Best for: combined plant + landscape supply runs, mulch, rock, and one-stop shopping for a full yard refresh. About 25 minutes from Chisago City.
What's Safe to Plant in the Chisago Lakes Area Right Now
Late May in Chisago County is the sweet spot for a wide range of plants. Here's the rough breakdown of what's safe to put in the ground this week:
Tender annuals (impatiens, begonias, marigolds, petunias): Safe to plant now. Last frost risk has passed.
Vegetable starts (tomatoes, peppers, basil, cucumbers, squash): Safe to plant now. Watch the forecast for any sudden overnight cold snaps over the next two weeks.
Perennials, trees, and shrubs: Safe to plant. Perennials have actually been plantable for several weeks.
Hanging baskets: Safe to hang outside permanently now. If you bought them earlier and have been bringing them in at night, you can stop.
Cool-season vegetables (lettuce, spinach, peas, carrots, radishes): Could have been planted weeks ago, but it's not too late to get a quick crop in before summer heat arrives.
The Bottom Line
The Chisago Lakes area has a stronger lineup of locally-owned garden centers than most people realize. Between Wosika Farm & Garden in Chisago City, Olympic Trail Greenhouse in Lindstrom, Juniper Jewell Garden Treasures in St. Croix Falls, Abrahamson Nurseries in Scandia, and Applewood Nursery in Forest Lake, you can cover everything from hanging baskets to landscape rock without ever setting foot in a big box store. Our team has been driving these roads for years — we've watched a lot of yards come together, and the best ones almost always trace back to these five spots.
This weekend in May 2026 is one of the first reliable planting windows of the year for Chisago County. The weather is cooperating, the garden centers are stocked, and the local growers are ready. Support local, plant on a Saturday, and let nature water it all in on Sunday.
