I would say that is a seedling Hibiscus syriacus, aka Rose of Sharon.

Do you have any pics of that spot before frost?

No other pictures, sorry. It is a raised bed filled with garden soil mix. In this bed I grew green peppers, tomatoes, strawberries and had a blueberry shrub.

I'm not sure it could be Rose of Sharon. We don't have any on our 1 acre lot that is backed to a vacant lot and cow pasture.

I still think that is what it is. It is definitely not any of the plants you mention. It is woody so it has to be a shrub or tree. The bark, colouring and almost invisible buds at this time of year all fit too. RoS seeds are wind dispersed so they can travel quite a distance from the parent. They are actually invasive in some areas of the US.

Interesting! We have this too, the roots are quite strong and it’s quite hard to get it all out. I’m wondering if it’s a mulberry seedling. I will find out when one leaf’s out soon!

I'd say it is exactly an Asian/White Mulberry - Morus alba - brought by a bird dropping. The orangey roots and those little stubby side branches fit the thousands I've encountered where this invasive exotic plagues natural areas around the Ohio River valley region.

Alexzandra could post a picture of the seedlings experienced - leaves or not - and as long as you provide a clear closeup of the dormant buds along the stem, we should be able to positively ID it even before it leafs out.