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

Planting zone for 55981 — Wabasha, MN

ZIP code 55981 (Wabasha, Wabasha County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 55981 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F

Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C

Last frostApr 28

First frostOct 14

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Wabasha, 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 Wabasha, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Alma Dam 4, WI — 7 miles away, elevation 669 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 55981

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26

BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 55981 came on Mar 30 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Mar 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 4b in Minnesota

497 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Wabasha, MN.

Soil in Wabasha, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55981 is Dubuque — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dubuque silt loam, shallow, 12 to 18 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 55981; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Wabasha, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,641base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall40 inper year; 83 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Alma Dam 4, WI (7 mi away); precipitation: Wabasha, MN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

559684b

Reads Landing, MN · 3 mi

Stockholm, WI · 14 mi

559574b

Millville, MN · 14 mi

550414b

Lake City, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55981

What planting zone is ZIP code 55981?

ZIP code 55981 (Wabasha, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Wabasha, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55981 is April 28; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alma Dam 4 station.

When is the first frost in Wabasha, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55981 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55981?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55981 get?

About 35.7 inches of precipitation a year and 40 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wabasha station).

How hot do summers get in Wabasha, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55981 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dubuque at the center of ZIP 55981: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Wabasha, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55981 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Wabasha, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55981 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).