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

Planting zone for 56710 — Alvarado, MN

ZIP code 56710 (Alvarado, Marshall County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 56710 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 5
First frostOct 2
2012 zone4a

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 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Alvarado, 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 Alvarado, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Warren Wsd, MN — 11 miles away, elevation 856 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 56710

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 56710 came on Apr 26 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25).

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 4a in Minnesota

445 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 45

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 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °F

Shrubs 77

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny 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 hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 173

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 140

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 °F

Vines 3

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Alvarado, MN.

Soil in Alvarado, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56710 is Bearden — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter5%high
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Bearden-Colvin silty clay loams, 0 to 2 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 56710; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alvarado, MN

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July
Winter low−7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights184nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,135base 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)
Precipitation22.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall44 inper year; 105 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−20°−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 14 °F, low -7 °F 14°−7° JanFebruary: average high 19 °F, low -4 °F 19°−4° FebMarch: average high 34 °F, low 11 °F 34°11° MarApril: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 54 °F 76°54° JunJuly: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 56 °F 80°56° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° SepOctober: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° OctNovember: average high 36 °F, low 17 °F 36°17° NovDecember: average high 21 °F, low 3 °F 21°3° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.68 in precipitation, 9 in snowfall 0.7❄9 JanFebruary: 0.59 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 0.6❄7 FebMarch: 0.87 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 0.9❄7 MarApril: 1.15 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 1.1❄3 AprMay: 3.02 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.0 MayJune: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 JulAugust: 3.02 in precipitation 3.0 AugSeptember: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 SepOctober: 2.03 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 2.0❄2 OctNovember: 0.97 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 1.0❄6 NovDecember: 0.85 in precipitation, 10.9 in snowfall 0.8❄11 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Warren Wsd, MN (11 mi away); precipitation: Argyle, MN (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

567444a
Oslo, MN · 6 mi
567624a
Warren, MN · 12 mi
567134a
Argyle, MN · 12 mi
582564a
Manvel, ND · 13 mi
567214a
East Grand Forks, MN · 17 mi
567574a
Stephen, MN · 19 mi
582034a
Grand Forks, ND · 19 mi
582064a
Grand Forks, ND · 20 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56710

What planting zone is ZIP code 56710?

ZIP code 56710 (Alvarado, 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 Alvarado, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56710 is May 5; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Warren Wsd station.

When is the first frost in Alvarado, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56710 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56710?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56710 get?

About 22.9 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Argyle station).

How hot do summers get in Alvarado, MN?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56710 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bearden at the center of ZIP 56710: silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Alvarado, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56710 came on Apr 26 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alvarado, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56710 is 16 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).