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

Planting zone for 56244 — Hancock, MN

ZIP code 56244 (Hancock, Stevens 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 56244 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 Hancock, 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 Hancock, 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 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach, MN — 9 miles away, elevation 1,142 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 56244

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 56244 came on Apr 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
Apr 20

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.

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 Hancock, MN.

Soil in Hancock, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56244 is Byrne — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Byrne silt loam, 1 to 6 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 56244; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hancock, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,360base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 41 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation26.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall45 inper year; 105 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: Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach, MN (9 mi away); precipitation: Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach, MN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56244

What planting zone is ZIP code 56244?

ZIP code 56244 (Hancock, 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 Hancock, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56244 is May 4; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach station.

When is the first frost in Hancock, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56244 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56244?

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 56244 get?

About 26.9 inches of precipitation a year and 45 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Morris W Cntrl Rsch & Outreach station).

How hot do summers get in Hancock, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56244 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Byrne at the center of ZIP 56244: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hancock, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56244 came on Apr 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hancock, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56244 is 15 h 41 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).