Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 55731 — Ely, MN

ZIP code 55731 (Ely, St. Louis County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 23.

Where ZIP 55731 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 24

First frostSep 23

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 Ely, 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 Ely, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 23median — 10% chance by Sep 7

Growing season121 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 4.

From the NOAA station Ely, MN — 7 miles away, elevation 1,381 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 55731

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21

BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 29 – Aug 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 9 – Oct 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 23) 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 55731 came on May 7 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30).

average
Apr 302026
May 7

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.

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 Ely, MN.

Soil in Ely, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55731 is Greenwood — peat, very poorly drained.

TexturePeattop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter90%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded complex, 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 55731; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ely, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights200nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,719base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 03 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 22 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

Snowfall65 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ely, MN (7 mi away); precipitation: Ely, MN (7 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.

Embarrass, MN · 31 mi

557503b

Hoyt Lakes, MN · 34 mi

557083b

Biwabik, MN · 42 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55731

What planting zone is ZIP code 55731?

ZIP code 55731 (Ely, 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 Ely, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55731 is May 24; after June 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ely station.

When is the first frost in Ely, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55731 is September 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 121 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55731?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55731 get?

About 31.3 inches of precipitation a year and 65 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ely station).

How hot do summers get in Ely, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55731 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Greenwood at the center of ZIP 55731: peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Ely, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55731 came on May 7 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ely, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55731 is 16 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).