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

Planting zone for 55071 — Saint Paul Park, MN

ZIP code 55071 (Saint Paul Park, Washington County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 55071 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 23

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 Saint Paul Park, 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 Saint Paul Park, 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 19median — 10% chance by Oct 5

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Hastings Dam 2, MN — 7 miles away, elevation 679 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 55071

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 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 23) 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 55071 came on Mar 30 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16).

average
Apr 162026
Mar 30

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 Saint Paul Park, MN.

Soil in Saint Paul Park, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55071 is Sparta — 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 matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sparta loamy sand, 6 to 15 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 55071; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saint Paul Park, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,809base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 47 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.9 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: Hastings Dam 2, MN (7 mi away); precipitation: Inver Grove Heights 1.3 Ene, MN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

550765a

Inver Grove Heights, MN · 2 mi

550165a

Cottage Grove, MN · 3 mi

550555a

Newport, MN · 4 mi

550775a

Inver Grove Heights, MN · 4 mi

550755a

South Saint Paul, MN · 5 mi

551295a

Saint Paul, MN · 7 mi

550685a

Rosemount, MN · 7 mi

551235a

Saint Paul, MN · 7 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55071

What planting zone is ZIP code 55071?

ZIP code 55071 (Saint Paul Park, 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 Saint Paul Park, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55071 is April 23; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hastings Dam 2 station.

When is the first frost in Saint Paul Park, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55071 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55071?

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 55071 get?

About 33.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Inver Grove Heights 1.3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Saint Paul Park, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55071 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sparta at the center of ZIP 55071: loamy sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Saint Paul Park, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55071 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Saint Paul Park, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55071 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55071 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55071 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.