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

Planting zone for 56381 — Starbuck, MN

ZIP code 56381 (Starbuck, Pope County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost September 27.

Where ZIP 56381 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 11

First frostSep 27

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 Starbuck, 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 Starbuck, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 27median — 10% chance by Sep 13

Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Glenwood 2wnw, MN — 9 miles away, elevation 1,198 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 56381

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8

BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 2 – Aug 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 13 – Oct 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 11) and first fall frost (Sep 27) 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 56381 came on Apr 19 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20).

average
Apr 202026
Apr 19

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.

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 Starbuck, MN.

Soil in Starbuck, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56381 is Hokans — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hokans-Buse complex, 2 to 6 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 56381; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Starbuck, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights175nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,387base 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)

Precipitation26.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall46 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Glenwood 2wnw, MN (9 mi away); precipitation: Glenwood 2wnw, MN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Kensington, MN · 19 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56381

What planting zone is ZIP code 56381?

ZIP code 56381 (Starbuck, 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 Starbuck, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56381 is May 11; after May 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glenwood 2wnw station.

When is the first frost in Starbuck, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56381 is September 27, giving a median frost-free growing season of 139 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56381?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56381 get?

About 26.4 inches of precipitation a year and 46 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Glenwood 2wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Starbuck, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56381 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hokans at the center of ZIP 56381: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Starbuck, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56381 came on Apr 19 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Starbuck, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56381 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).