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

Planting zone for 55725 — Crane Lake, MN

ZIP code 55725 (Crane Lake, St. Louis County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is June 2 and the first fall frost September 15.

Where ZIP 55725 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 frostJun 2
First frostSep 15
2012 zone3a

Was 3a 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 3b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Crane 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 Crane Lake, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostJune 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 15median — 10% chance by Aug 29
Growing season102 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 20 and returns around September 27.

From the NOAA station Orr 3e, MN — 24 miles away, elevation 1,316 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 55725

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · May 5 – May 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 12 – May 26
LettuceSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesTransplant · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 16 – Jun 30
BeansSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Jun 9 – Jun 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 21 – Aug 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 1 – Oct 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Jun 2) and first fall frost (Sep 15) 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 55725 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 Crane Lake, MN.

Soil in Crane Lake, MN

The center of ZIP 55725 is mapped as Water: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 55725; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crane Lake, MN

Summer high75 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−8 °Faverage low, January
Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights215nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,270base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day16 h 06 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation25.2 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 15 °F, low -8 °F 15°−8° JanFebruary: average high 21 °F, low -6 °F 21°−6° FebMarch: average high 34 °F, low 8 °F 34°8° MarApril: average high 48 °F, low 23 °F 48°23° AprMay: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° MayJune: average high 71 °F, low 46 °F 71°46° JunJuly: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° JulAugust: average high 74 °F, low 48 °F 74°48° AugSeptember: average high 64 °F, low 41 °F 64°41° SepOctober: average high 50 °F, low 31 °F 50°31° OctNovember: average high 33 °F, low 17 °F 33°17° NovDecember: average high 21 °F, low 2 °F 21°2° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.51 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 MarApril: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 JunJuly: 3.58 in precipitation 3.6 JulAugust: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.37 in precipitation 2.4 OctNovember: 1.31 in precipitation 1.3 NovDecember: 0.81 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Orr 3e, MN (24 mi away); precipitation: Kettle Falls, 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.

557713b
Orr, MN · 24 mi
557723b
Nett Lake, MN · 31 mi
566693b
Kabetogama, MN · 31 mi
566493b
International Falls, MN · 32 mi
557903a
Tower, MN · 37 mi
557233b
Cook, MN · 38 mi
557823a
Soudan, MN · 39 mi
566683a
Ranier, MN · 42 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55725

What planting zone is ZIP code 55725?

ZIP code 55725 (Crane Lake, 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 Crane Lake, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55725 is June 2; after June 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Orr 3e station.

When is the first frost in Crane Lake, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55725 is September 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 102 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55725?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Apr 7 – Apr 21 and set transplants outside around Jun 9 – Jun 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55725 get?

About 25.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kettle Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Crane Lake, MN?

The average high peaks at 75 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

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

Spring leaf-out near 55725 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 Crane Lake, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55725 is 16 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55725 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55725 in zone 3a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 3b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.