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

Planting zone for 55038 — Hugo, MN

ZIP code 55038 (Hugo, Washington County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 55038 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 frostApr 23

First frostOct 20

2012 zone4b

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 4b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hugo, 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 Hugo, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Vadnais Lake, MN — 11 miles away, elevation 889 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 55038

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 55038 came on Apr 11 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Apr 11

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 4b in Minnesota

497 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −25 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 4b. 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 Hugo, MN.

Soil in Hugo, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55038 is Isanti — loamy fine sand, very poorly drained.

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

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter9%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Isanti loamy fine sand, depressional.

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 55038; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hugo, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low8 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,946base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.8 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: Vadnais Lake, MN (11 mi away); precipitation: North Saint Paul 1.0 Nnw, MN (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

551105a

Saint Paul, MN · 6 mi

550254b

Forest Lake, MN · 6 mi

550145a

Circle Pines, MN · 7 mi

551155a

Saint Paul, MN · 8 mi

551275a

Saint Paul, MN · 8 mi

550474b

Marine On Saint Croix, MN · 8 mi

550824b

Stillwater, MN · 10 mi

554495a

Minneapolis, MN · 10 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55038

What planting zone is ZIP code 55038?

ZIP code 55038 (Hugo, 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 Hugo, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55038 is April 23; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Vadnais Lake station.

When is the first frost in Hugo, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55038 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55038?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55038 get?

About 33.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, North Saint Paul 1.0 Nnw station).

How hot do summers get in Hugo, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55038 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Isanti at the center of ZIP 55038: loamy fine sand, very poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Hugo, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55038 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hugo, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55038 is 15 h 38 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).