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

Planting zone for 56232 — Dawson, MN

ZIP code 56232 (Dawson, Lac qui Parle County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 56232 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 3

First frostOct 2

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 Dawson, 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 Dawson, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20

Growing season151 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 12.

From the NOAA station Madison Wwtp, MN — 8 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 56232

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

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 3) 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 56232 came on Apr 8 — 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 8

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).

Soil in Dawson, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56232 is La Prairie — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH8.2alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: La Prairie loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 56232; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dawson, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days16days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights168nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,570base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall51 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Madison Wwtp, MN (8 mi away); precipitation: Dawson, MN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Clarkfield, MN · 16 mi

Bellingham, MN · 20 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56232

What planting zone is ZIP code 56232?

ZIP code 56232 (Dawson, 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 Dawson, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56232 is May 3; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Madison Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Dawson, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56232 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 151 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56232?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56232 get?

About 24.6 inches of precipitation a year and 51 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dawson station).

How hot do summers get in Dawson, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 16 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56232 have?

The USDA soil survey maps La Prairie at the center of ZIP 56232: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 8.2 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Dawson, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56232 came on Apr 8 in 2026, 8 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dawson, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56232 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).