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

Planting zone for 55008 — Cambridge, MN

ZIP code 55008 (Cambridge, Isanti County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 55008 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.

Zone4b−25 to −20 °F
Coldest night−31.7 to −28.9 °C
Last frostMay 2
First frostOct 4
2012 zone4a

Was 4a 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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cambridge, 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 Cambridge, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Cambridge, MN — 2 miles away, elevation 965 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 55008

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 55008 came on Apr 15 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

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).

Soil in Cambridge, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55008 is Zimmerman — fine sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Zimmerman fine sand, 6 to 12 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 55008; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cambridge, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low4 °Faverage low, January
Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights171nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,484base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 42 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 42 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall44 inper year; 104 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 22 °F, low 4 °F 22°4° JanFebruary: average high 27 °F, low 7 °F 27°7° FebMarch: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 34 °F 56°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 77 °F, low 57 °F 77°57° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JulAugust: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° AugSeptember: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° SepOctober: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° OctNovember: average high 41 °F, low 25 °F 41°25° NovDecember: average high 27 °F, low 11 °F 27°11° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.74 in precipitation, 5.4 in snowfall 0.7❄5 JanFebruary: 0.72 in precipitation, 10 in snowfall 0.7❄10 FebMarch: 1.38 in precipitation, 7.4 in snowfall 1.4❄7 MarApril: 2.71 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 2.7❄4 AprMay: 3.59 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 2.80 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 2.8❄1 OctNovember: 1.61 in precipitation, 4.5 in snowfall 1.6❄5 NovDecember: 0.99 in precipitation, 12.3 in snowfall 1.0❄12 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cambridge, MN (2 mi away); precipitation: Cambridge, MN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55008

What planting zone is ZIP code 55008?

ZIP code 55008 (Cambridge, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 4b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −25 to −20 °F (−31.7 to −28.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Cambridge, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55008 is May 2; after May 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cambridge station.

When is the first frost in Cambridge, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55008 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55008?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55008 get?

About 29.7 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cambridge station).

How hot do summers get in Cambridge, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55008 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Zimmerman at the center of ZIP 55008: fine sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cambridge, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55008 came on Apr 15 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cambridge, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55008 is 15 h 42 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55008 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55008 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.