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

Planting zone for 56160 — Odin, MN

ZIP code 56160 (Odin, Watonwan County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 56160 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 28
First frostOct 8
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 Odin, 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 Odin, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 9only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Sherburn 3wsw, MN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,319 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 56160

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 56160 came on Mar 30 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

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.

Trees 47

Shrubs 92

Wildflowers & perennials 201

Grasses 164

Vines 5

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 Odin, MN.

Soil in Odin, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56160 is Canisteo — clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.5slightly alkaline; 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: Canisteo-Glencoe complex, 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 56160; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Odin, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low6 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights161nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,620base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 28 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 54 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation30.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 24 °F, low 6 °F 24°6° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 10 °F 28°10° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 22 °F 40°22° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 34 °F 57°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JulAugust: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 49 °F 74°49° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 23 °F 43°23° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 12 °F 29°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 1.45 in precipitation 1.4 MarApril: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 4.83 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 4.82 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 2.77 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sherburn 3wsw, MN (14 mi away); precipitation: Sherburn 3wsw, MN (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56160

What planting zone is ZIP code 56160?

ZIP code 56160 (Odin, 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 Odin, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56160 is April 28; after May 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sherburn 3wsw station.

When is the first frost in Odin, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56160 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56160?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56160 get?

About 30.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sherburn 3wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Odin, 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 56160 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Canisteo at the center of ZIP 56160: clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Odin, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56160 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Odin, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56160 is 15 h 28 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56160 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56160 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.