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

Planting zone for 56653 — Littlefork, MN

ZIP code 56653 (Littlefork, Koochiching County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 23 and the first fall frost September 21.

Where ZIP 56653 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 23

First frostSep 21

2012 zone3a

Was 3a 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 3b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Littlefork, 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 Littlefork, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsJune 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 21median — 10% chance by Sep 4

Growing season118 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 10 and returns around October 1.

From the NOAA station Littlefork 10 Sw, MN — 9 miles away, elevation 1,201 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 56653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 11 – May 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 2 – May 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 2 – May 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesTransplant · May 30 – Jun 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 6 – Jun 20

BeansSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 30 – Jun 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 27 – Aug 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 7 – Oct 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 23) and first fall frost (Sep 21) 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 56653 came on Apr 30 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
Apr 30

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 Littlefork, MN.

Soil in Littlefork, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56653 is Bowstring — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter65%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bowstring and Fluvaquents, loamy, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded.

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 56653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Littlefork, MN

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days2days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights200nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days1,660base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 20 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation27.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall55 inper year; 134 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Littlefork 10 Sw, MN (9 mi away); precipitation: Littlefork 10 Sw, MN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

566693b

Kabetogama, MN · 18 mi

South International Falls, MN · 22 mi

566273b

Big Falls, MN · 23 mi

557723b

Nett Lake, MN · 25 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56653

What planting zone is ZIP code 56653?

ZIP code 56653 (Littlefork, 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 Littlefork, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56653 is May 23; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Littlefork 10 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Littlefork, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56653 is September 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 118 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 28 – Apr 11 and set transplants outside around May 30 – Jun 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56653 get?

About 27.1 inches of precipitation a year and 55 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Littlefork 10 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Littlefork, MN?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 2 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bowstring at the center of ZIP 56653: muck, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Littlefork, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56653 came on Apr 30 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Littlefork, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56653 is 16 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56653 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56653 in zone 3a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 3b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.