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

Planting zone for 56252 — Kerkhoven, MN

ZIP code 56252 (Kerkhoven, Swift County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 56252 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 1

First frostOct 6

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 Kerkhoven, 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 Kerkhoven, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Willmar 5n, MN — 12 miles away, elevation 1,191 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 56252

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

TomatoesTransplant · May 8 – May 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 15 – May 29

BeansSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 8 – May 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 1) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 56252 came on Apr 17 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19).

average
Apr 192026
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).

Soil in Kerkhoven, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56252 is Urness — mucky silt loam, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter15%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Urness mucky silty clay loam, occasionally ponded, 0 to 1 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 56252; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kerkhoven, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights172nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,430base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation29.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Willmar 5n, MN (12 mi away); precipitation: Willmar 5n, MN (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Clara City, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56252

What planting zone is ZIP code 56252?

ZIP code 56252 (Kerkhoven, 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 Kerkhoven, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56252 is May 1; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willmar 5n station.

When is the first frost in Kerkhoven, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56252 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56252?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 6 – Mar 20 and set transplants outside around May 8 – May 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56252 get?

About 29.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Willmar 5n station).

How hot do summers get in Kerkhoven, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56252 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Urness at the center of ZIP 56252: mucky silt loam, very poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Kerkhoven, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56252 came on Apr 17 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kerkhoven, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56252 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).