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

Planting zone for 56619 — Bemidji, MN

ZIP code 56619 (Bemidji, Beltrami County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost September 26.

Where ZIP 56619 is

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.

Zone3b−35 to −30 °F
Coldest night−37.2 to −34.4 °C
Last frostMay 17
First frostSep 26
2012 zone3b

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 3b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bemidji, 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 Bemidji, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 30only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 26median — 10% chance by Sep 12
Growing season131 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 7 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Cass Lake, MN — 14 miles away, elevation 1,296 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 56619

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
TomatoesTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
BeansSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 24 – Jun 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 1 – Aug 15
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 12 – Oct 17
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 17) and first fall frost (Sep 26) 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 56619 came on Apr 23 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26).

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 3b in Minnesota

287 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −35 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 3b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 33

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 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °Fbigtooth aspen65 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Shrubs 50

Allegheny 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 mountain ash40 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbeaked hazelnut15 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 102

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican vetch1.3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 93

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °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 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 2

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °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 Bemidji, MN.

Soil in Bemidji, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56619 is Graycalm — loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Urban land-Graycalm complex, 1 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 56619; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bemidji, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days4days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights187nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,027base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 58 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 26 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation27.5 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 18 °F, low -4 °F 18°−4° JanFebruary: average high 24 °F, low 0 °F 24°0° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 15 °F 37°15° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° MayJune: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 58 °F 79°58° JulAugust: average high 77 °F, low 56 °F 77°56° AugSeptember: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° SepOctober: average high 52 °F, low 34 °F 52°34° OctNovember: average high 36 °F, low 20 °F 36°20° NovDecember: average high 23 °F, low 6 °F 23°6° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.25 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 1.41 in precipitation 1.4 NovDecember: 1.06 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cass Lake, MN (14 mi away); precipitation: Bemidji, MN (5 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 3b.

566013b
Bemidji, MN · 4 mi
566873b
Wilton, MN · 6 mi
566783b
Solway, MN · 11 mi
566763b
Shevlin, MN · 15 mi
564613b
Laporte, MN · 17 mi
566673b
Puposky, MN · 18 mi
566833b
Tenstrike, MN · 19 mi
566473b
Hines, MN · 19 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Bemidji → · Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56619

What planting zone is ZIP code 56619?

ZIP code 56619 (Bemidji, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 3b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −35 to −30 °F (−37.2 to −34.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Bemidji, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56619 is May 17; after May 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cass Lake station.

When is the first frost in Bemidji, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56619 is September 26, giving a median frost-free growing season of 131 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56619?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 22 – Apr 5 and set transplants outside around May 24 – Jun 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56619 get?

About 27.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bemidji station).

How hot do summers get in Bemidji, 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 56619 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Graycalm at the center of ZIP 56619: loamy sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bemidji, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56619 came on Apr 23 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bemidji, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56619 is 15 h 58 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).