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

Planting zone for 56150 — Lakefield, MN

ZIP code 56150 (Lakefield, Jackson 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 2.

Where ZIP 56150 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 2

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 Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, 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 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Lakefield 2ne, MN — 6 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 56150

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 7 – Aug 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 56150 came on Mar 28 — 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Mar 28

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 Lakefield, MN.

Soil in Lakefield, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56150 is Clarion — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clarion loam, 2 to 6 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 56150; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakefield, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low5 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,487base 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)

Precipitation30.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall49 inper year; 88 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: Lakefield 2ne, MN (6 mi away); precipitation: Lakefield 2ne, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

Round Lake, MN · 12 mi

561195a

Brewster, MN · 15 mi

513605a

Spirit Lake, IA · 15 mi

561375a

Heron Lake, MN · 15 mi

513475a

Lake Park, IA · 15 mi

561115a

Alpha, MN · 16 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56150

What planting zone is ZIP code 56150?

ZIP code 56150 (Lakefield, 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 Lakefield, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56150 is May 2; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lakefield 2ne station.

When is the first frost in Lakefield, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56150 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56150?

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 56150 get?

About 30.5 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lakefield 2ne station).

How hot do summers get in Lakefield, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56150 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clarion at the center of ZIP 56150: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lakefield, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56150 came on Mar 28 in 2026, 19 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lakefield, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56150 is 15 h 26 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56150 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56150 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.