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

Planting zone for 55045 — Lindstrom, MN

ZIP code 55045 (Lindstrom, Chisago County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 55045 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 3

First frostOct 5

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 Lindstrom, 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 Lindstrom, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Forest Lake 5ne, MN — 6 miles away, elevation 906 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 55045

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 55045 came on Apr 14 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18).

average
Apr 182026
Apr 14

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 Lindstrom, MN.

Soil in Lindstrom, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55045 is Cushing — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cushing-Branstad complex, 6 to 35 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 55045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lindstrom, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low3 °Faverage low, January

Hot days14days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights161nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,620base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 40 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall52 inper year; 106 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: Forest Lake 5ne, MN (6 mi away); precipitation: Forest Lake 5ne, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

550124a

Center City, MN · 4 mi

550134b

Chisago City, MN · 4 mi

550744b

Shafer, MN · 5 mi

550844a

Taylors Falls, MN · 7 mi

North Branch, MN · 10 mi

550794b

Stacy, MN · 10 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55045

What planting zone is ZIP code 55045?

ZIP code 55045 (Lindstrom, 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 Lindstrom, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55045 is May 3; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forest Lake 5ne station.

When is the first frost in Lindstrom, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55045 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55045?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55045 get?

About 33.1 inches of precipitation a year and 52 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Forest Lake 5ne station).

How hot do summers get in Lindstrom, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 14 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cushing at the center of ZIP 55045: loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lindstrom, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55045 came on Apr 14 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 18), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lindstrom, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55045 is 15 h 40 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55045 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55045 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.