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

Planting zone for 56283 — Redwood Falls, MN

ZIP code 56283 (Redwood Falls, Redwood County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 56283 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostApr 30
First frostOct 10
2012 zone4b

Was 4b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Redwood 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 Redwood Falls, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Redwood Falls, MN — 2 miles away, elevation 1,020 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 56283

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 56283 came on Apr 3 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

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 5a in Minnesota

521 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 92

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 201

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 164

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 5

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 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °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 Redwood Falls, MN.

Soil in Redwood Falls, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56283 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 56283; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Redwood Falls, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights163nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,654base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 33 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation30.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall44 inper year; 71 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 23 °F, low 4 °F 23°4° JanFebruary: average high 28 °F, low 8 °F 28°8° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 21 °F 40°21° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 57 °F 79°57° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° AugSeptember: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° SepOctober: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° OctNovember: average high 42 °F, low 24 °F 42°24° NovDecember: average high 28 °F, low 12 °F 28°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.67 in precipitation, 7.1 in snowfall 0.7❄7 JanFebruary: 0.92 in precipitation, 9.3 in snowfall 0.9❄9 FebMarch: 1.63 in precipitation, 8.9 in snowfall 1.6❄9 MarApril: 2.86 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 2.9❄4 AprMay: 4.10 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.1 MayJune: 4.99 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.14 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 2.38 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 2.4❄1 OctNovember: 1.31 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 1.3❄4 NovDecember: 0.95 in precipitation, 9.4 in snowfall 0.9❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Redwood Falls, MN (2 mi away); precipitation: Redwood Falls, MN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

562704b
Morton, MN · 9 mi
562934b
Wabasso, MN · 10 mi
562874b
Seaforth, MN · 10 mi
562144b
Belview, MN · 11 mi
562245a
Clements, MN · 11 mi
562665a
Morgan, MN · 13 mi
553334b
Franklin, MN · 14 mi
562944b
Wanda, MN · 15 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56283

What planting zone is ZIP code 56283?

ZIP code 56283 (Redwood Falls, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Redwood Falls, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56283 is April 30; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redwood Falls station.

When is the first frost in Redwood Falls, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56283 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56283?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56283 get?

About 30.9 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Redwood Falls station).

How hot do summers get in Redwood Falls, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56283 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Storden at the center of ZIP 56283: loam, well drained, pH about 7.7 (slightly alkaline).

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

Spring leaf-out near 56283 came on Apr 3 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Redwood Falls, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56283 is 15 h 33 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56283 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56283 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.