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

Planting zone for 56401 — Brainerd, MN

ZIP code 56401 (Brainerd, Crow Wing County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 56401 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.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostMay 8

First frostSep 29

2012 zone3b

Was 3b 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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Brainerd, 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 Brainerd, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Brainerd, MN — 4 miles away, elevation 1,181 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 56401

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 56401 came on Apr 19 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

average
Apr 222026
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 4a in Minnesota

445 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Brainerd, MN.

Soil in Brainerd, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56401 is Rifle — peat, very poorly drained.

TexturePeattop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter95%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Rifle and Seelyeville soils, 0 to 1 percent slopes, ponded.

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 56401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brainerd, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,084base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 48 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 36 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation30.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall48 inper year; 118 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: Brainerd, MN (4 mi away); precipitation: Brainerd, MN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

Fort Ripley, MN · 12 mi

564594a

Lake Hubert, MN · 14 mi

Merrifield, MN · 15 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56401

What planting zone is ZIP code 56401?

ZIP code 56401 (Brainerd, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Brainerd, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56401 is May 8; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brainerd station.

When is the first frost in Brainerd, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56401 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56401?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56401 get?

About 30.6 inches of precipitation a year and 48 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brainerd station).

How hot do summers get in Brainerd, MN?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56401 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Rifle at the center of ZIP 56401: peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Brainerd, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56401 came on Apr 19 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Brainerd, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56401 is 15 h 48 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56401 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56401 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.