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

Planting zone for 56042 — Hartland, MN

ZIP code 56042 (Hartland, Freeborn County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 56042 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 30
First frostOct 6
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 Hartland, 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 Hartland, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 24
Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Wells, MN — 13 miles away, elevation 1,135 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 56042

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 56042 came on Mar 30 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

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 Hartland, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56042 is Canisteo — clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.5slightly alkaline; 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: Canisteo 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 56042; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hartland, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights161nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,720base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation37.2 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 24 °F, low 5 °F 24°5° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 10 °F 29°10° FebMarch: average high 41 °F, low 23 °F 41°23° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 35 °F 56°35° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 48 °F 69°48° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 59 °F 79°59° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 38 °F 60°38° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 24 °F 43°24° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 12 °F 29°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 JanFebruary: 1.22 in precipitation 1.2 FebMarch: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 MarApril: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 AprMay: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 5.68 in precipitation 5.7 JunJuly: 4.66 in precipitation 4.7 JulAugust: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.64 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 1.82 in precipitation 1.8 NovDecember: 1.36 in precipitation 1.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wells, MN (13 mi away); precipitation: Ellendale 0.3 Sw, MN (10 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.

560325a
Freeborn, MN · 5 mi
560724b
New Richland, MN · 7 mi
560165a
Clarks Grove, MN · 8 mi
560095a
Alden, MN · 10 mi
560354b
Geneva, MN · 11 mi
560264b
Ellendale, MN · 11 mi
560915a
Waldorf, MN · 13 mi
560075a
Albert Lea, MN · 13 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56042

What planting zone is ZIP code 56042?

ZIP code 56042 (Hartland, 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 Hartland, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56042 is April 30; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wells station.

When is the first frost in Hartland, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56042 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56042?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56042 get?

About 37.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ellendale 0.3 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Hartland, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56042 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canisteo at the center of ZIP 56042: clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Hartland, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56042 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hartland, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56042 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56042 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56042 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.