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

Planting zone for 56552 — Hitterdal, MN

ZIP code 56552 (Hitterdal, Clay County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost September 24.

Where ZIP 56552 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 15
First frostSep 24
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 Hitterdal, 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 Hitterdal, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 15median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 24median — 10% chance by Sep 9
Growing season130 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 5 and returns around October 3.

From the NOAA station Detroit Lakes 1 Nne, MN — 21 miles away, elevation 1,355 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 56552

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3
TomatoesTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
BeansSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 22 – Jun 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 30 – Aug 13
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 10 – Oct 15
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 15) and first fall frost (Sep 24) 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 56552 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 Hitterdal, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56552 is Hokans — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; 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: Hokans-Buse complex, 2 to 6 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 56552; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hitterdal, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,049base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 54 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 30 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation26.8 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 -4 °F 17°−4° JanFebruary: average high 23 °F, low 0 °F 23°0° FebMarch: average high 36 °F, low 15 °F 36°15° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 53 °F 76°53° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° SepOctober: average high 53 °F, low 34 °F 53°34° OctNovember: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° NovDecember: average high 22 °F, low 6 °F 22°6° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.12 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 1.79 in precipitation 1.8 AprMay: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 5.14 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 JulAugust: 2.98 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 3.03 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 OctNovember: 0.95 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.93 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Detroit Lakes 1 Nne, MN (21 mi away); precipitation: Lake Park 6.0 S, MN (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

565854a
Ulen, MN · 7 mi
565544a
Lake Park, MN · 9 mi
565494a
Hawley, MN · 10 mi
565414a
Flom, MN · 14 mi
565114a
Audubon, MN · 14 mi
565214a
Callaway, MN · 16 mi
565844a
Twin Valley, MN · 16 mi
565194a
Borup, MN · 17 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56552

What planting zone is ZIP code 56552?

ZIP code 56552 (Hitterdal, 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 Hitterdal, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56552 is May 15; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Detroit Lakes 1 Nne station.

When is the first frost in Hitterdal, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56552 is September 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 130 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56552?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 20 – Apr 3 and set transplants outside around May 22 – Jun 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56552 get?

About 26.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lake Park 6.0 S station).

How hot do summers get in Hitterdal, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56552 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hokans at the center of ZIP 56552: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hitterdal, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56552 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 Hitterdal, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56552 is 15 h 54 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56552 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56552 in zone 3b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.