Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 55783 — Sturgeon Lake, MN

ZIP code 55783 (Sturgeon Lake, Pine County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 55783 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 12

First frostOct 2

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 Sturgeon 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 Sturgeon Lake, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Moose Lake 1 Sse, MN — 8 miles away, elevation 1,109 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 55783

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 21

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

TomatoesTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 26 – Jun 9

BeansSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 19 – Jun 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 55783 came on Apr 22 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

average
Apr 252026
Apr 22

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 Sturgeon Lake, MN.

Soil in Sturgeon Lake, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55783 is Cathro — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter65%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cathro and Wahbegon soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, frequently ponded.

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 55783; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sturgeon Lake, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,012base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 49 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 35 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.5 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: Moose Lake 1 Sse, MN (8 mi away); precipitation: Moose Lake 1 Sse, MN (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

557674a

Moose Lake, MN · 7 mi

557574a

Kettle River, MN · 8 mi

557954a

Willow River, MN · 8 mi

557354a

Finlayson, MN · 15 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55783

What planting zone is ZIP code 55783?

ZIP code 55783 (Sturgeon Lake, 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 Sturgeon Lake, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55783 is May 12; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moose Lake 1 Sse station.

When is the first frost in Sturgeon Lake, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55783 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55783?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 17 – Mar 31 and set transplants outside around May 19 – Jun 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55783 get?

About 31.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moose Lake 1 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Sturgeon Lake, MN?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55783 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cathro at the center of ZIP 55783: muck, very poorly drained.

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

Spring leaf-out near 55783 came on Apr 22 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sturgeon Lake, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55783 is 15 h 49 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55783 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55783 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.