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

Planting zone for 55381 — Silver Lake, MN

ZIP code 55381 (Silver Lake, McLeod County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 55381 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 28
First frostOct 8
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 Silver Lake, 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 Silver Lake, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Hutchinson 1 N, MN — 8 miles away, elevation 1,096 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 55381

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 55381 came on Apr 11 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 Silver Lake, MN.

Soil in Silver Lake, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55381 is Klossner — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter65%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Klossner and Muskego soils, ponded, 0 to 1 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 55381; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Silver Lake, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights162nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,758base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 46 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

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 22 °F, low 5 °F 22°5° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 9 °F 27°9° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 23 °F 40°23° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 52 °F 74°52° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 38 °F 58°38° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° NovDecember: average high 27 °F, low 12 °F 27°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 FebMarch: 1.54 in precipitation 1.5 MarApril: 3.16 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 4.13 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.95 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.09 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.00 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.62 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 1.43 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hutchinson 1 N, MN (8 mi away); precipitation: Silver Lake 1.7 N, MN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

553954b
Winsted, MN · 7 mi
553544b
Lester Prairie, MN · 7 mi
553504b
Hutchinson, MN · 10 mi
553214b
Cokato, MN · 11 mi
555754b
Howard Lake, MN · 11 mi
553494b
Howard Lake, MN · 11 mi
553674b
New Germany, MN · 11 mi
553364b
Glencoe, MN · 11 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55381

What planting zone is ZIP code 55381?

ZIP code 55381 (Silver Lake, 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 Silver Lake, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55381 is April 28; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hutchinson 1 N station.

When is the first frost in Silver Lake, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55381 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55381?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55381 get?

About 31.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Silver Lake 1.7 N station).

How hot do summers get in Silver Lake, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55381 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Klossner at the center of ZIP 55381: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Silver Lake, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55381 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Silver Lake, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55381 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).