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

Planting zone for 56260 — Maynard, MN

ZIP code 56260 (Maynard, Chippewa 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 56260 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 Maynard, 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 Maynard, 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 — 11 miles away, 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 56260

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 56260 came on Apr 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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

Shrubs 88

Wildflowers & perennials 190

Grasses 156

Vines 4

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 Maynard, MN.

Soil in Maynard, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56260 is Bearden — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bearden-Quam, depressional, complex, 0 to 2 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 56260; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Maynard, 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 37 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)
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 (11 mi away); precipitation: Granite Falls, MN (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56260

What planting zone is ZIP code 56260?

ZIP code 56260 (Maynard, 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 Maynard, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56260 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 Maynard, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56260 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56260?

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 56260 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 Maynard, 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 56260 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bearden at the center of ZIP 56260: silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Maynard, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56260 came on Apr 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Maynard, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56260 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).