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

Planting zone for 56528 — Dent, MN

ZIP code 56528 (Dent, 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 56528 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 Dent, 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 Dent, 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 — 15 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 56528

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 56528 came on Apr 22 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 23).

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).

Soil in Dent, MN

The center of ZIP 56528 is mapped as Water: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 56528; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dent, 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 50 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 34 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation28.4 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: 0.67 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.53 in precipitation 0.5 FebMarch: 1.09 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 2.13 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.54 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ottertail, MN (15 mi away); precipitation: Ottertail 1.5 Nw, MN (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

565764a
Richville, MN · 5 mi
565874a
Vergas, MN · 8 mi
565344a
Erhard, MN · 10 mi
565724a
Pelican Rapids, MN · 14 mi
565864a
Underwood, MN · 14 mi
565714a
Ottertail, MN · 15 mi
565734a
Perham, MN · 15 mi
565154a
Battle Lake, MN · 16 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56528

What planting zone is ZIP code 56528?

ZIP code 56528 (Dent, 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 Dent, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56528 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 Dent, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56528 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56528?

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 56528 get?

About 28.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ottertail 1.5 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Dent, MN?

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

Did spring come early in Dent, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56528 came on Apr 22 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 Dent, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56528 is 15 h 50 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56528 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56528 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.