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

Planting zone for 56219 — Browns Valley, MN

ZIP code 56219 (Browns Valley, Traverse County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 56219 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 9
First frostSep 28
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Browns Valley, 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 Browns Valley, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 15
Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Browns Valley, MN — within 1 mile, elevation 978 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 56219

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 56219 came on Apr 16 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

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.

Trees 47

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °F

Shrubs 88

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 190

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 156

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Browns Valley, MN.

Soil in Browns Valley, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56219 is Langhei — clay loam, well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Langhei-Barnes-Darnen complex, 5 to 30 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 56219; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Browns Valley, MN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low1 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights179nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,397base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 41 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation25.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall44 inper year; 90 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 22 °F, low 1 °F 22°1° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 5 °F 27°5° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° MarApril: average high 55 °F, low 30 °F 55°30° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 56 °F 82°56° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 46 °F 74°46° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 34 °F 58°34° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 21 °F 42°21° NovDecember: average high 28 °F, low 8 °F 28°8° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.93 in precipitation, 8.8 in snowfall 0.9❄9 JanFebruary: 0.89 in precipitation, 9 in snowfall 0.9❄9 FebMarch: 1.28 in precipitation, 5.7 in snowfall 1.3❄6 MarApril: 2.49 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 2.5❄5 AprMay: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 MayJune: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 SepOctober: 2.31 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 2.3❄1 OctNovember: 1.00 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 1.0❄5 NovDecember: 0.81 in precipitation, 9.5 in snowfall 0.8❄10 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Browns Valley, MN (within 1 mile); precipitation: Browns Valley, MN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

562114b
Beardsley, MN · 6 mi
572574b
Peever, SD · 12 mi
572794b
Wilmot, SD · 13 mi
562104b
Barry, MN · 13 mi
572624b
Sisseton, SD · 13 mi
572274b
Corona, SD · 16 mi
572604b
Rosholt, SD · 18 mi
572554b
New Effington, SD · 19 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56219

What planting zone is ZIP code 56219?

ZIP code 56219 (Browns Valley, 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 Browns Valley, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56219 is May 9; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Browns Valley station.

When is the first frost in Browns Valley, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56219 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56219?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56219 get?

About 25.4 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Browns Valley station).

How hot do summers get in Browns Valley, MN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56219 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Langhei at the center of ZIP 56219: clay loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Browns Valley, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56219 came on Apr 16 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Browns Valley, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56219 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56219 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56219 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.