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

Planting zone for 56735 — Lancaster, MN

ZIP code 56735 (Lancaster, Kittson 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 September 30.

Where ZIP 56735 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 frostSep 30

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 Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, 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 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 30median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 6.

From the NOAA station Hallock, MN — 17 miles away, elevation 814 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 56735

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 5 – Aug 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 16 – Oct 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Sep 30) 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 56735 came on May 4 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27).

average
Apr 272026
May 4

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 Lancaster, MN.

Soil in Lancaster, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56735 is Redby — loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Redby loamy fine sand, dense till, 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 56735; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lancaster, MN

Summer high79 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−4 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights186nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,061base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day16 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hallock, MN (17 mi away); precipitation: Hallock, MN (17 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

567343b

Lake Bronson, MN · 10 mi

Saint Vincent, MN · 22 mi

567263b

Greenbush, MN · 23 mi

567323b

Karlstad, MN · 24 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56735

What planting zone is ZIP code 56735?

ZIP code 56735 (Lancaster, 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 Lancaster, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56735 is May 8; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hallock station.

When is the first frost in Lancaster, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56735 is September 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56735?

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 56735 get?

About 22.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hallock station).

How hot do summers get in Lancaster, MN?

The average high peaks at 79 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56735 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Redby at the center of ZIP 56735: loamy fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lancaster, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56735 came on May 4 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lancaster, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56735 is 16 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).