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

Planting zone for 55796 — Winton, MN

ZIP code 55796 (Winton, St. Louis County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 55796 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 14

First frostSep 29

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 Winton, 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 Winton, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season135 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 3 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Ely, MN — 2 miles away, elevation 1,476 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 55796

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 23 – May 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 28 – Jun 11

BeansSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 21 – Jun 4

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 14) 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 55796 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 Winton, MN.

Soil in Winton, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55796 is Rifle — mucky peat, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky peattop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter85%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rifle mucky peat, 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 55796; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Winton, MN

Summer high77 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights189nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,733base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 23 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 (2 mi away); precipitation: Ely, MN (3 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 · 27 mi

557903a

Tower, MN · 28 mi

557503b

Hoyt Lakes, MN · 29 mi

557083b

Biwabik, MN · 37 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55796

What planting zone is ZIP code 55796?

ZIP code 55796 (Winton, 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 Winton, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55796 is May 14; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ely station.

When is the first frost in Winton, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55796 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 135 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55796?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 19 – Apr 2 and set transplants outside around May 21 – Jun 4, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55796 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 Winton, MN?

The average high peaks at 77 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55796 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rifle at the center of ZIP 55796: mucky peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Winton, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55796 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 Winton, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55796 is 16 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55796 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55796 in zone 3a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 3b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.