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

Planting zone for 56115 — Balaton, MN

ZIP code 56115 (Balaton, Lyon County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 56115 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 frostMay 2

First frostOct 5

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 Balaton, 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 Balaton, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Tracy, MN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,404 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 56115

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

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 2) 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 56115 came on Mar 29 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
Mar 29

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 Balaton, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56115 is Parnell — silty clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Parnell silty clay loam, depressional, 0 to 1 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 56115; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Balaton, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,647base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 31 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)

Precipitation29.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall42 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tracy, MN (14 mi away); precipitation: Tyler, MN (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Lake Wilson, MN · 12 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56115

What planting zone is ZIP code 56115?

ZIP code 56115 (Balaton, 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 Balaton, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56115 is May 2; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tracy station.

When is the first frost in Balaton, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56115 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56115?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56115 get?

About 29.9 inches of precipitation a year and 42 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tyler station).

How hot do summers get in Balaton, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56115 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Parnell at the center of ZIP 56115: silty clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Balaton, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56115 came on Mar 29 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Balaton, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56115 is 15 h 31 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56115 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56115 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.