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

Planting zone for 55735 — Finlayson, MN

ZIP code 55735 (Finlayson, Pine County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 55735 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 13

First frostSep 29

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 Finlayson, 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 Finlayson, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 15

Growing season137 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Sandstone 6 W, MN — 7 miles away, elevation 1,129 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 55735

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 22 – May 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 27 – Jun 10

BeansSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 20 – Jun 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 13) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 55735 came on Apr 20 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
Apr 20

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 4a in Minnesota

445 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Finlayson, MN.

Soil in Finlayson, MN

The center of ZIP 55735 is mapped as No Digital Data Available: 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 55735; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Finlayson, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,916base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation33.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sandstone 6 W, MN (7 mi away); precipitation: Sandstone 6 W, MN (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

557954a

Willow River, MN · 9 mi

Sturgeon Lake, MN · 15 mi

563424a

Isle, MN · 17 mi

550074a

Brook Park, MN · 17 mi

550374a

Hinckley, MN · 17 mi

557674a

Moose Lake, MN · 20 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55735

What planting zone is ZIP code 55735?

ZIP code 55735 (Finlayson, 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 Finlayson, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55735 is May 13; after May 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandstone 6 W station.

When is the first frost in Finlayson, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55735 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 137 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55735?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 18 – Apr 1 and set transplants outside around May 20 – Jun 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55735 get?

About 33.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandstone 6 W station).

How hot do summers get in Finlayson, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Finlayson, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55735 came on Apr 20 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Finlayson, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55735 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55735 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55735 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.