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

Planting zone for 56120 — Butterfield, MN

ZIP code 56120 (Butterfield, Watonwan 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 7.

Where ZIP 56120 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 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 Butterfield, 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 Butterfield, 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 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season160 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station St James Wwtp, MN — 9 miles away, elevation 1,070 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 56120

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 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 30) 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 56120 came on Apr 7 — 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 7

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 5a in Minnesota

521 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Butterfield, MN.

Soil in Butterfield, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56120 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 56120; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Butterfield, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,735base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall50 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: St James Wwtp, MN (9 mi away); precipitation: St James Wwtp, MN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

561595a

Mountain Lake, MN · 7 mi

560815a

Saint James, MN · 8 mi

Bingham Lake, MN · 12 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56120

What planting zone is ZIP code 56120?

ZIP code 56120 (Butterfield, 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 Butterfield, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56120 is April 30; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St James Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Butterfield, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56120 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 160 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56120?

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 56120 get?

About 33.1 inches of precipitation a year and 50 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, St James Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Butterfield, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56120 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Webster at the center of ZIP 56120: clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Butterfield, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56120 came on Apr 7 in 2026, 9 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Butterfield, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56120 is 15 h 29 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56120 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56120 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.