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

Planting zone for 56545 — Gary, MN

ZIP code 56545 (Gary, Norman County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 7 and the first fall frost September 28.

Where ZIP 56545 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 7
First frostSep 28
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 Gary, 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 Gary, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 28median — 10% chance by Sep 15
Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Mahnomen, MN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,211 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 56545

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 16
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
TomatoesTransplant · May 14 – May 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 21 – Jun 4
BeansSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 14 – May 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 3 – Aug 17
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 14 – Oct 19
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 7) and first fall frost (Sep 28) 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 56545 came on Apr 23 — 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 Gary, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56545 is Ulen — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ulen fine sandy 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 56545; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gary, MN

Summer high79 °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 days2,046base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 57 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 27 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation26 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 15 °F, low -2 °F 15°−2° JanFebruary: average high 21 °F, low 2 °F 21°2° FebMarch: average high 34 °F, low 15 °F 34°15° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 30 °F 52°30° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 43 °F 66°43° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 34 °F 54°34° OctNovember: average high 34 °F, low 20 °F 34°20° NovDecember: average high 22 °F, low 6 °F 22°6° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.04 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 MayJune: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 2.44 in precipitation 2.4 OctNovember: 0.87 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mahnomen, MN (14 mi away); precipitation: Twin Valley 0.1 Ne, MN (9 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.

565404a
Fertile, MN · 10 mi
565844a
Twin Valley, MN · 12 mi
565164a
Bejou, MN · 13 mi
565923b
Winger, MN · 14 mi
565414a
Flom, MN · 16 mi
565194a
Borup, MN · 20 mi
565574a
Mahnomen, MN · 20 mi
565854a
Ulen, MN · 21 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56545

What planting zone is ZIP code 56545?

ZIP code 56545 (Gary, 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 Gary, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56545 is May 7; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mahnomen station.

When is the first frost in Gary, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56545 is September 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56545?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 12 – Mar 26 and set transplants outside around May 14 – May 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56545 get?

About 26 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Twin Valley 0.1 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Gary, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56545 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ulen at the center of ZIP 56545: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Gary, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56545 came on Apr 23 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 Gary, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56545 is 15 h 57 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56545 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56545 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.