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

Planting zone for 56069 — Montgomery, MN

ZIP code 56069 (Montgomery, Le Sueur County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 56069 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 5
First frostOct 5
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 Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Faribault, MN — 16 miles away, elevation 971 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 56069

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 56069 came on Apr 10 — 7 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 Montgomery, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56069 is Kilkenny — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Kilkenny clay loam, 6 to 10 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 56069; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Montgomery, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low5 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,529base 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)
Precipitation34.2 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 23 °F, low 5 °F 23°5° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 8 °F 28°8° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° AprMay: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 57 °F 78°57° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° AugSeptember: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° SepOctober: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 13 °F 29°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 JanFebruary: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 1.88 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 5.09 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.39 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 2.73 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 1.64 in precipitation 1.6 NovDecember: 1.26 in precipitation 1.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Faribault, MN (16 mi away); precipitation: Montgomery 3.2 Ene, MN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

560524b
Kilkenny, MN · 6 mi
550464b
Lonsdale, MN · 7 mi
560714b
New Prague, MN · 9 mi
560574b
Le Center, MN · 9 mi
550884b
Webster, MN · 11 mi
560964b
Waterville, MN · 12 mi
550524b
Morristown, MN · 13 mi
550874b
Warsaw, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56069

What planting zone is ZIP code 56069?

ZIP code 56069 (Montgomery, 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 Montgomery, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56069 is May 5; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Faribault station.

When is the first frost in Montgomery, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56069 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56069?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56069 get?

About 34.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Montgomery 3.2 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Montgomery, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56069 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kilkenny at the center of ZIP 56069: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Montgomery, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56069 came on Apr 10 in 2026, 7 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Montgomery, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56069 is 15 h 32 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).