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

Planting zone for 55332 — Fairfax, MN

ZIP code 55332 (Fairfax, Renville County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 55332 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 frostApr 29
First frostOct 7
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 Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 22
Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station New Ulm 2 Se, MN — 19 miles away, elevation 889 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 55332

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27
BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 55332 came on Apr 10 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

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).

Native plants for zone 4b in Minnesota

497 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 47

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °F

Shrubs 88

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 190

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 156

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Fairfax, MN.

Soil in Fairfax, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55332 is Clarion — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clarion-Swanlake complex, 2 to 6 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 55332; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fairfax, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,767base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 24 °F, low 7 °F 24°7° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 11 °F 29°11° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 24 °F 41°24° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 36 °F 57°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 52 °F 73°52° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 39 °F 60°39° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 26 °F 43°26° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 13 °F 29°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 1.57 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 5.52 in precipitation 5.5 JunJuly: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 SepOctober: 2.28 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Ulm 2 Se, MN (19 mi away); precipitation: Bird Is 7sse, MN (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

553354b
Gibbon, MN · 7 mi
553334b
Franklin, MN · 8 mi
562665a
Morgan, MN · 13 mi
562704b
Morton, MN · 13 mi
560305a
Essig, MN · 14 mi
553424b
Hector, MN · 15 mi
560855a
Sleepy Eye, MN · 16 mi
553964b
Winthrop, MN · 16 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55332

What planting zone is ZIP code 55332?

ZIP code 55332 (Fairfax, 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 Fairfax, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55332 is April 29; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Ulm 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Fairfax, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55332 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55332?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55332 get?

About 31.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bird Is 7sse station).

How hot do summers get in Fairfax, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55332 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clarion at the center of ZIP 55332: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fairfax, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55332 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fairfax, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55332 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).