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

Planting zone for 56030 — Essig, MN

ZIP code 56030 (Essig, Brown County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 56030 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostApr 29

First frostOct 7

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Essig, 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 Essig, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station New Ulm 2 Se, MN — 6 miles away, elevation 889 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 56030

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 56030 came on Apr 3 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 3

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 Essig, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56030 is Webster — clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter7%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Webster clay loam, 0 to 2 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 56030; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Essig, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,767base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 32 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall38 inper year; 82 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: New Ulm 2 Se, MN (6 mi away); precipitation: New Ulm 2 Se, MN (6 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.

560855a

Sleepy Eye, MN · 7 mi

Lafayette, MN · 14 mi

Courtland, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56030

What planting zone is ZIP code 56030?

ZIP code 56030 (Essig, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Essig, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56030 is April 29; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Ulm 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Essig, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56030 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56030?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56030 get?

About 31.1 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Ulm 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Essig, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56030 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Webster at the center of ZIP 56030: clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Essig, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56030 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Essig, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56030 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56030 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56030 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.