Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 56626 — Bena, MN

ZIP code 56626 (Bena, Cass County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 56626 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.

Zone3b−35 to −30 °F

Coldest night−37.2 to −34.4 °C

Last frostMay 8

First frostOct 1

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 Bena, 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 Bena, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 19

Growing season144 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Leech Lake, MN — 9 miles away, elevation 1,303 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 56626

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 56626 came on Apr 23 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
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).

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.

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 Bena, MN.

Soil in Bena, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56626 is Redby — moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureModerately decomposed plant materialtop layer

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter60%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Redby-Deford-Hiwood complex, 0 to 3 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 56626; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bena, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights180nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,093base 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)

Precipitation27.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall32 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Leech Lake, MN (9 mi away); precipitation: Winnibigoshish Dam, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 3b.

566593b

Max, MN · 13 mi

566413b

Federal Dam, MN · 13 mi

566813b

Squaw Lake, MN · 13 mi

566363b

Deer River, MN · 14 mi

566633b

Pennington, MN · 16 mi

566313b

Bowstring, MN · 20 mi

566803b

Spring Lake, MN · 22 mi

566373b

Talmoon, MN · 22 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56626

What planting zone is ZIP code 56626?

ZIP code 56626 (Bena, 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 Bena, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56626 is May 8; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Leech Lake station.

When is the first frost in Bena, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56626 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 144 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56626?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56626 get?

About 27.2 inches of precipitation a year and 32 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Winnibigoshish Dam station).

How hot do summers get in Bena, MN?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56626 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Redby at the center of ZIP 56626: moderately decomposed plant material, somewhat poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Bena, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56626 came on Apr 23 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bena, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56626 is 15 h 57 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).