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

Planting zone for 56685 — Waskish, MN

ZIP code 56685 (Waskish, Beltrami County) is in USDA zone 3b: the coldest winter night averages −35 to −30 °F. The median last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost September 17.

Where ZIP 56685 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 22
First frostSep 17
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 Waskish, 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 Waskish, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 17median — 10% chance by Sep 2
Growing season117 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Waskish 4ne, MN — 6 miles away, elevation 1,191 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 56685

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 10 – May 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 1 – May 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 24 – May 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
TomatoesTransplant · May 29 – Jun 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 5 – Jun 19
BeansSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 29 – Jun 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 23 – Aug 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 3 – Oct 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 22) and first fall frost (Sep 17) 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 56685 came on May 7 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

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 Waskish, MN.

Soil in Waskish, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56685 is Greenwood — peat, very poorly drained.

TexturePeattop layer
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter95%high
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Greenwood-Greenwood, ponded, complex, 0 to 1 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 56685; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waskish, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−6 °Faverage low, January
Hot days3days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights202nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days1,730base 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)
Precipitation26.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−20°−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 16 °F, low -6 °F 16°−6° JanFebruary: average high 23 °F, low -3 °F 23°−3° FebMarch: average high 36 °F, low 12 °F 36°12° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° AprMay: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° MayJune: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° JunJuly: average high 79 °F, low 54 °F 79°54° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 51 °F 78°51° AugSeptember: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° SepOctober: average high 53 °F, low 31 °F 53°31° OctNovember: average high 36 °F, low 19 °F 36°19° NovDecember: average high 22 °F, low 3 °F 22°3° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.08 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 1.62 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 3.08 in precipitation 3.1 MayJune: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JunJuly: 4.00 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.39 in precipitation 2.4 OctNovember: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 0.90 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Waskish 4ne, MN (6 mi away); precipitation: Waskish 4ne, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 3b.

566503b
Kelliher, MN · 17 mi
566663b
Ponemah, MN · 20 mi
566273b
Big Falls, MN · 22 mi
566603b
Mizpah, MN · 23 mi
566233b
Baudette, MN · 25 mi
566293b
Birchdale, MN · 25 mi
566703b
Redby, MN · 32 mi
566613b
Northome, MN · 34 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56685

What planting zone is ZIP code 56685?

ZIP code 56685 (Waskish, 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 Waskish, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56685 is May 22; after June 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waskish 4ne station.

When is the first frost in Waskish, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56685 is September 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 117 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56685?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 27 – Apr 10 and set transplants outside around May 29 – Jun 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56685 get?

About 26.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waskish 4ne station).

How hot do summers get in Waskish, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 3 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56685 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Greenwood at the center of ZIP 56685: peat, very poorly drained.

Did spring come early in Waskish, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56685 came on May 7 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waskish, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56685 is 16 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56685 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56685 in zone 3a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 3b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.