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

Planting zone for 56241 — Granite Falls, MN

ZIP code 56241 (Granite Falls, Yellow Medicine County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 56241 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 4
First frostOct 1
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 Granite Falls, 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 Granite Falls, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Granite Falls, MN — within 1 mile, elevation 932 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 56241

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 56241 came on Apr 7 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

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 Granite Falls, MN.

Soil in Granite Falls, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56241 is Storden — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.7slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Storden-Ves complex, 6 to 10 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 56241; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Granite Falls, MN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low3 °Faverage low, January
Hot days20days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,634base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 35 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation28.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall52 inper year

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 24 °F, low 3 °F 24°3° JanFebruary: average high 29 °F, low 7 °F 29°7° FebMarch: average high 42 °F, low 20 °F 42°20° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 45 °F 71°45° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°55° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 48 °F 75°48° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 35 °F 60°35° OctNovember: average high 43 °F, low 22 °F 43°22° NovDecember: average high 29 °F, low 10 °F 29°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.81 in precipitation, 9.4 in snowfall 0.8❄9 JanFebruary: 0.83 in precipitation, 11.7 in snowfall 0.8❄12 FebMarch: 1.47 in precipitation, 7.9 in snowfall 1.5❄8 MarApril: 2.41 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 2.4❄4 AprMay: 3.50 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.5 MayJune: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 JunJuly: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.18 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 2.35 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 2.4❄1 OctNovember: 1.37 in precipitation, 6.6 in snowfall 1.4❄7 NovDecember: 1.08 in precipitation, 11.1 in snowfall 1.1❄11 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

562454b
Hanley Falls, MN · 9 mi
562974b
Wood Lake, MN · 11 mi
562854b
Sacred Heart, MN · 11 mi
562604b
Maynard, MN · 12 mi
562234b
Clarkfield, MN · 12 mi
562374b
Echo, MN · 14 mi
562654b
Montevideo, MN · 15 mi
562295a
Cottonwood, MN · 16 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56241

What planting zone is ZIP code 56241?

ZIP code 56241 (Granite Falls, 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 Granite Falls, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56241 is May 4; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Granite Falls station.

When is the first frost in Granite Falls, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56241 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56241?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56241 get?

About 28.6 inches of precipitation a year and 52 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Granite Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Granite Falls, MN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 20 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56241 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Storden at the center of ZIP 56241: loam, well drained, pH about 7.7 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Granite Falls, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56241 came on Apr 7 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Granite Falls, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56241 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).