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

Planting zone for 55706 — Babbitt, MN

ZIP code 55706 (Babbitt, St. Louis County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 28 and the first fall frost September 14.

Where ZIP 55706 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.

Zone3b−35 to −30 °F
Coldest night−37.2 to −34.4 °C
Last frostMay 28
First frostSep 14
2012 zone3b

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 3b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Babbitt, 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 Babbitt, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 14median — 10% chance by Aug 29
Growing season108 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 13 and returns around September 26.

From the NOAA station Babbitt, MN — 4 miles away, elevation 1,480 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 55706

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 16 – May 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 7 – May 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 11 – Jun 25
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 4 – Jun 18
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 20 – Aug 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Aug 31 – Oct 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 28) and first fall frost (Sep 14) 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 55706 came on May 4 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

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 3b in Minnesota

287 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −35 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 3b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 33

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 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigtooth aspen65 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Shrubs 50

Allegheny 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 mountain ash40 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 102

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 93

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °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 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 2

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °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 Babbitt, MN.

Soil in Babbitt, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55706 is Eaglesnest — stony loam, moderately well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eaglesnest-Wahlsten complex, 2 to 8 percent slopes, bouldery.

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 55706; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Babbitt, MN

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights203nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,529base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 00 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 25 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall84 inper year; 140 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−20°−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 16 °F, low -7 °F 16°−7° JanFebruary: average high 21 °F, low -5 °F 21°−5° FebMarch: average high 34 °F, low 10 °F 34°10° MarApril: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° AprMay: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° MayJune: average high 72 °F, low 49 °F 72°49° JunJuly: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° JulAugust: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° AugSeptember: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° SepOctober: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° OctNovember: average high 34 °F, low 18 °F 34°18° NovDecember: average high 21 °F, low 2 °F 21°2° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.21 in precipitation, 17.4 in snowfall 1.2❄17 JanFebruary: 0.85 in precipitation, 13.5 in snowfall 0.8❄14 FebMarch: 1.04 in precipitation, 10.1 in snowfall 1.0❄10 MarApril: 2.42 in precipitation, 11.8 in snowfall 2.4❄12 AprMay: 3.93 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 3.9❄1 MayJune: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.56 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.66 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 2.7❄3 OctNovember: 1.64 in precipitation, 10.3 in snowfall 1.6❄10 NovDecember: 1.14 in precipitation, 17 in snowfall 1.1❄17 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Babbitt, MN (4 mi away); precipitation: Babbitt, MN (4 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.

557503b
Hoyt Lakes, MN · 9 mi
557323a
Embarrass, MN · 12 mi
557823a
Soudan, MN · 15 mi
557083b
Biwabik, MN · 19 mi
557053b
Aurora, MN · 19 mi
557963b
Winton, MN · 20 mi
557903a
Tower, MN · 21 mi
556073b
Isabella, MN · 23 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55706

What planting zone is ZIP code 55706?

ZIP code 55706 (Babbitt, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 3b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −35 to −30 °F (−37.2 to −34.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Babbitt, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55706 is May 28; after June 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Babbitt station.

When is the first frost in Babbitt, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55706 is September 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 108 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55706?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 2 – Apr 16 and set transplants outside around Jun 4 – Jun 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55706 get?

About 29.8 inches of precipitation a year and 84 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Babbitt station).

How hot do summers get in Babbitt, MN?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55706 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eaglesnest at the center of ZIP 55706: stony loam, moderately well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Babbitt, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55706 came on May 4 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Babbitt, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55706 is 16 h 00 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).