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

Planting zone for 55043 — Lakeland, MN

ZIP code 55043 (Lakeland, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 55043 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostApr 22

First frostOct 19

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lakeland, 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 Lakeland, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 3

Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Stillwater 1 Se, MN — 7 miles away, elevation 709 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 55043

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 55043 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 5a in Minnesota

521 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Minnesota, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Lakeland, MN.

Soil in Lakeland, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55043 is Hubbard — loamy sand, excessively drained.

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

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hubbard loamy sand, 1 to 6 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 55043; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lakeland, MN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,188base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.1 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: Stillwater 1 Se, MN (7 mi away); precipitation: Stillwater 1 Se, MN (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Saint Paul, MN · 7 mi

551255a

Saint Paul, MN · 8 mi

540824b

Houlton, WI · 9 mi

550824b

Stillwater, MN · 10 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55043

What planting zone is ZIP code 55043?

ZIP code 55043 (Lakeland, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Lakeland, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55043 is April 22; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stillwater 1 Se station.

When is the first frost in Lakeland, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55043 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55043?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55043 get?

About 35.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Stillwater 1 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Lakeland, MN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55043 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hubbard at the center of ZIP 55043: loamy sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lakeland, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55043 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 Lakeland, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55043 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55043 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55043 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.