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

Planting zone for 56374 — Saint Joseph, MN

ZIP code 56374 (Saint Joseph, Stearns County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 56374 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 3

First frostOct 7

2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Collegeville St John'S, MN — 4 miles away, elevation 1,211 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 56374

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 56374 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 Saint Joseph, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56374 is Arvilla — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Arvilla sandy loam, 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 56374; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saint Joseph, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights159nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,418base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 42 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)

Precipitation31 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall57 inper year; 106 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: Collegeville St John'S, MN (4 mi away); precipitation: Collegeville St John'S, MN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

563214b

Collegeville, MN · 4 mi

563884b

Waite Park, MN · 5 mi

563874b

Waite Park, MN · 5 mi

563034b

Saint Cloud, MN · 5 mi

563014b

Saint Cloud, MN · 7 mi

Saint Cloud, MN · 7 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56374

What planting zone is ZIP code 56374?

ZIP code 56374 (Saint Joseph, 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 Saint Joseph, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56374 is May 3; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Collegeville St John'S station.

When is the first frost in Saint Joseph, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56374 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56374?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56374 get?

About 31 inches of precipitation a year and 57 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Collegeville St John'S station).

How hot do summers get in Saint Joseph, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56374 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Arvilla at the center of ZIP 56374: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Saint Joseph, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56374 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 Saint Joseph, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56374 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56374 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56374 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.