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

Planting zone for 55717 — Canyon, MN

ZIP code 55717 (Canyon, St. Louis County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost September 20.

Where ZIP 55717 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F
Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C
Last frostMay 27
First frostSep 20
2012 zone3b

Was 3b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Canyon, 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 Canyon, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 27median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 20median — 10% chance by Sep 4
Growing season115 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 14 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Cotton, MN — 7 miles away, elevation 1,322 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 55717

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 15 – May 6
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 6 – May 20
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 6 – May 20
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 10 – Jun 24
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 3 – Jun 17
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 26 – Aug 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 6 – Oct 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 27) and first fall frost (Sep 20) 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 55717 came on Apr 30 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28).

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 Canyon, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55717 is Baden — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter65%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Baden muck, depressional, 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 55717; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Canyon, MN

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights207nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,559base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−20°−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 18 °F, low -5 °F 18°−5° JanFebruary: average high 25 °F, low -4 °F 25°−4° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 12 °F 37°12° MarApril: average high 50 °F, low 25 °F 50°25° AprMay: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° MayJune: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° JunJuly: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° JulAugust: average high 76 °F, low 50 °F 76°50° AugSeptember: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 32 °F 52°32° OctNovember: average high 37 °F, low 18 °F 37°18° NovDecember: average high 24 °F, low 3 °F 24°3° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.85 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 1.13 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 2.30 in precipitation 2.3 AprMay: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 4.48 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.71 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 NovDecember: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cotton, MN (7 mi away); precipitation: Cotton, MN (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

557243b
Cotton, MN · 7 mi
557794a
Saginaw, MN · 11 mi
557914a
Twig, MN · 12 mi
557663b
Melrude, MN · 13 mi
557024a
Alborn, MN · 14 mi
558034a
Duluth, MN · 15 mi
557653b
Meadowlands, MN · 17 mi
558114b
Duluth, MN · 18 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55717

What planting zone is ZIP code 55717?

ZIP code 55717 (Canyon, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Canyon, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55717 is May 27; after June 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cotton station.

When is the first frost in Canyon, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55717 is September 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 115 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55717?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 1 – Apr 15 and set transplants outside around Jun 3 – Jun 17, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55717 get?

About 29.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cotton station).

How hot do summers get in Canyon, MN?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55717 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Baden at the center of ZIP 55717: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Canyon, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55717 came on Apr 30 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Canyon, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55717 is 15 h 54 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55717 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55717 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.