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

Planting zone for 58261 — Minto, ND

ZIP code 58261 (Minto, Walsh County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 7.

Where ZIP 58261 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 4

First frostOct 7

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 Minto, ND…

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 Minto, ND

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 17.

From the NOAA station Grafton, ND — 13 miles away, elevation 827 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 58261

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 58261 came on Apr 27 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24).

average
Apr 242026
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 4a in North Dakota

342 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in North Dakota, and rated by the USDA to survive −30 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4a. 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 Minto, ND.

Soil in Minto, ND

The center of ZIP 58261 is mapped as Water: built-over ground without natural soil data. Garden soil here is usually imported or disturbed — test before you plant.

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 58261; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minto, ND

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low0 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights169nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,527base 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)

Precipitation21.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall48 inper year; 113 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: Grafton, ND (13 mi away); precipitation: Grand Forks Intl Airport, ND (22 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

567444a

Oslo, MN · 9 mi

582334a

Forest River, ND · 11 mi

North Dakota planting zones →

Questions about 58261

What planting zone is ZIP code 58261?

ZIP code 58261 (Minto, ND) 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 Minto, ND?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 58261 is May 4; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grafton station.

When is the first frost in Minto, ND?

The median first fall frost near 58261 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 58261?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 58261 get?

About 21.7 inches of precipitation a year and 48 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Grand Forks Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Minto, ND?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Did spring come early in Minto, ND in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 58261 came on Apr 27 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Minto, ND?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 58261 is 16 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).