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

Planting zone for 56435 — Backus, MN

ZIP code 56435 (Backus, Cass County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 56435 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 5

First frostOct 5

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 Backus, 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 Backus, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 26 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Deep Portage, MN — 9 miles away, elevation 1,470 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 56435

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2

BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 56435 came on Apr 21 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
Apr 21

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 Backus, MN.

Soil in Backus, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56435 is Meehan — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Meehan loamy sand, 0 to 3 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 56435; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Backus, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights179nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,143base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 52 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 32 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation28 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: Deep Portage, MN (9 mi away); precipitation: Walker, MN (20 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

564744a

Pine River, MN · 9 mi

564524a

Hackensack, MN · 11 mi

Pequot Lakes, MN · 18 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56435

What planting zone is ZIP code 56435?

ZIP code 56435 (Backus, 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 Backus, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56435 is May 5; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Deep Portage station.

When is the first frost in Backus, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56435 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56435?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56435 get?

About 28 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walker station).

How hot do summers get in Backus, 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 56435 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Meehan at the center of ZIP 56435: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Backus, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56435 came on Apr 21 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Backus, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56435 is 15 h 52 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56435 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56435 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.