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

Planting zone for 55985 — West Concord, MN

ZIP code 55985 (West Concord, Dodge County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 55985 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 frostMay 12
First frostSep 28
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 West Concord, 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 West Concord, 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 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 5.

From the NOAA station Byron 4north, MN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,040 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 55985

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 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 12) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 55985 came on Apr 5 — 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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).

Soil in West Concord, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55985 is Clyde — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter6.5%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Clyde-Floyd complex, 1 to 4 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 55985; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in West Concord, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,272base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 30 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation36.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 4 °F 23°4° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 6 °F 27°6° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 32 °F 55°32° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 44 °F 68°44° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 47 °F 72°47° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 23 °F 42°23° NovDecember: average high 28 °F, low 11 °F 28°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 JanFebruary: 1.00 in precipitation 1.0 FebMarch: 2.01 in precipitation 2.0 MarApril: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 AprMay: 4.84 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.31 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 1.84 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.24 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Byron 4north, MN (14 mi away); precipitation: Claremont 2.5 Ese, MN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

559464b
Kenyon, MN · 8 mi
559274b
Dodge Center, MN · 9 mi
559554b
Mantorville, MN · 9 mi
559245a
Claremont, MN · 10 mi
559834b
Wanamingo, MN · 10 mi
559634b
Pine Island, MN · 12 mi
559444b
Kasson, MN · 15 mi
550534b
Nerstrand, MN · 15 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55985

What planting zone is ZIP code 55985?

ZIP code 55985 (West Concord, 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 West Concord, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55985 is May 12; after May 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Byron 4north station.

When is the first frost in West Concord, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55985 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 139 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55985?

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 55985 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Claremont 2.5 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in West Concord, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55985 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clyde at the center of ZIP 55985: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in West Concord, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55985 came on Apr 5 in 2026, 12 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in West Concord, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55985 is 15 h 30 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).