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

Planting zone for 56442 — Crosslake, MN

ZIP code 56442 (Crosslake, Crow Wing County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 56442 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 6

First frostOct 7

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 Crosslake, 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 Crosslake, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Pine Rvr Dam, MN — within 1 mile, elevation 1,250 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 56442

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesTransplant · May 13 – May 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 20 – Jun 3

BeansSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 13 – May 27

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 6) 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 56442 came on Apr 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

average
Apr 232026
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 Crosslake, MN.

Soil in Crosslake, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56442 is Uskabwanka — 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: Uskabwanka-Rifle-Lougee complex, 0 to 1 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 56442; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crosslake, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−1 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights178nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,154base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 51 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 33 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation28.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall39 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pine Rvr Dam, MN (within 1 mile); precipitation: Pine Rvr Dam, MN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

564484a

Fifty Lakes, MN · 8 mi

564414a

Crosby, MN · 9 mi

564654a

Merrifield, MN · 10 mi

Pequot Lakes, MN · 13 mi

564594a

Lake Hubert, MN · 14 mi

564744a

Pine River, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56442

What planting zone is ZIP code 56442?

ZIP code 56442 (Crosslake, 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 Crosslake, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56442 is May 6; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Rvr Dam station.

When is the first frost in Crosslake, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56442 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56442?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 11 – Mar 25 and set transplants outside around May 13 – May 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56442 get?

About 28.8 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Rvr Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Crosslake, 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 56442 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Uskabwanka at the center of ZIP 56442: peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Crosslake, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56442 came on Apr 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Crosslake, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56442 is 15 h 51 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56442 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56442 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.