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

Planting zone for 56285 — Sacred Heart, MN

ZIP code 56285 (Sacred Heart, Renville 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 56285 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 Sacred Heart, 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 Sacred Heart, 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 56285

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 56285 came on Apr 11 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
Apr 11

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 Sacred Heart, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56285 is Leen — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Leen-Okoboji, 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 56285; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sacred Heart, 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)

Precipitation30.7 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: Granite Falls, MN (11 mi away); precipitation: Renville 3.7 Ene, MN (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

562844b

Renville, MN · 7 mi

562414b

Granite Falls, MN · 11 mi

Clara City, MN · 14 mi

562604b

Maynard, MN · 14 mi

562814b

Prinsburg, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56285

What planting zone is ZIP code 56285?

ZIP code 56285 (Sacred Heart, 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 Sacred Heart, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56285 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 Sacred Heart, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56285 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56285?

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 56285 get?

About 30.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Renville 3.7 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Sacred Heart, 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 56285 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leen at the center of ZIP 56285: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sacred Heart, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56285 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sacred Heart, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56285 is 15 h 35 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).