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

Planting zone for 56524 — Clitherall, MN

ZIP code 56524 (Clitherall, Otter Tail 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 56524 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 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Clitherall, 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 Clitherall, 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 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Ottertail, MN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,348 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 56524

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 56524 came on Apr 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22).

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.

Trees 45

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °F

Shrubs 77

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 173

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 140

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 3

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

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 Clitherall, MN.

Soil in Clitherall, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56524 is Fordville — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; 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: Fordville 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 56524; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Clitherall, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−2 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights172nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,187base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 47 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 37 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation27.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 17 °F, low -2 °F 17°−2° JanFebruary: average high 23 °F, low 2 °F 23°2° FebMarch: average high 36 °F, low 15 °F 36°15° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 44 °F 65°44° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 56 °F 75°56° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 59 °F 77°59° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 49 °F 69°49° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° OctNovember: average high 37 °F, low 21 °F 37°21° NovDecember: average high 23 °F, low 7 °F 23°7° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 3.30 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.82 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 1.03 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ottertail, MN (14 mi away); precipitation: Battle Lake 2s, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

565884a
Vining, MN · 6 mi
565154a
Battle Lake, MN · 7 mi
565514a
Henning, MN · 10 mi
565864a
Underwood, MN · 12 mi
563264b
Evansville, MN · 13 mi
563094b
Ashby, MN · 13 mi
563614a
Parkers Prairie, MN · 14 mi
563244a
Dalton, MN · 14 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56524

What planting zone is ZIP code 56524?

ZIP code 56524 (Clitherall, 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 Clitherall, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56524 is May 5; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ottertail station.

When is the first frost in Clitherall, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56524 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56524?

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 56524 get?

About 27.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Battle Lake 2s station).

How hot do summers get in Clitherall, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 4 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56524 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fordville at the center of ZIP 56524: loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Clitherall, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56524 came on Apr 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Clitherall, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56524 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).