Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 55049 — Medford, MN

ZIP code 55049 (Medford, Steele County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 55049 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostMay 5

First frostOct 6

2012 zone4b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Medford, MN…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Medford, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Owatonna, MN — 6 miles away, elevation 1,142 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 55049

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 6) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 55049 came on Apr 3 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 3

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Medford, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55049 is Anthroportic Udorthents — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Anthroportic Udorthents, 2 to 9 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 55049; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Medford, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,644base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 31 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation35.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall44 inper year; 89 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Owatonna, MN (6 mi away); precipitation: Owatonna, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Morristown, MN · 11 mi

560464b

Hope, MN · 15 mi

550534b

Nerstrand, MN · 15 mi

559245a

Claremont, MN · 15 mi

559464b

Kenyon, MN · 15 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55049

What planting zone is ZIP code 55049?

ZIP code 55049 (Medford, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Medford, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55049 is May 5; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Owatonna station.

When is the first frost in Medford, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55049 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55049?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55049 get?

About 35.5 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Owatonna station).

How hot do summers get in Medford, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55049 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Anthroportic Udorthents at the center of ZIP 55049: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Medford, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55049 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Medford, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55049 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).