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

Planting zone for 56117 — Bigelow, MN

ZIP code 56117 (Bigelow, Nobles 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 3.

Where ZIP 56117 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 3

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 Bigelow, 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 Bigelow, 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 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Sibley, IA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,529 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 56117

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 8 – Aug 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 56117 came on Mar 25 — 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Mar 25

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).

Native plants for zone 4b in Minnesota

497 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Bigelow, MN.

Soil in Bigelow, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56117 is Okoboji — mucky silty clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky silty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter14%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Okoboji mucky 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 56117; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bigelow, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,569base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall42 inper year; 91 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: Sibley, IA (9 mi away); precipitation: Sibley, IA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Worthington, MN · 9 mi

513545a

Ocheyedan, IA · 11 mi

512435a

Little Rock, IA · 12 mi

561655a

Reading, MN · 14 mi

561675a

Round Lake, MN · 14 mi

513455a

Harris, IA · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56117

What planting zone is ZIP code 56117?

ZIP code 56117 (Bigelow, 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 Bigelow, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56117 is May 5; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sibley station.

When is the first frost in Bigelow, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56117 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56117?

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 56117 get?

About 30.2 inches of precipitation a year and 42 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sibley station).

How hot do summers get in Bigelow, 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 56117 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Okoboji at the center of ZIP 56117: mucky silty clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bigelow, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56117 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bigelow, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56117 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).