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

Planting zone for 55111 — Saint Paul, MN

ZIP code 55111 (Saint Paul, Hennepin 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 18.

Where ZIP 55111 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 18

2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Saint Paul, 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, 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 18median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, MN — 2 miles away, elevation 873 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 55111

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 23 – Sep 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 55111 came on Apr 9 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15).

average
Apr 152026
Apr 9

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, MN.

Soil in Saint Paul, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55111 is Dorset — sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Dorset sandy loam, 0 to 2 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 55111; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saint Paul, MN

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,966base 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)

Precipitation31.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall51 inper year; 90 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: Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, MN (2 mi away); precipitation: Minneapolis/St Paul Airport, MN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

551505a

Mendota, MN · 1 mi

551165a

Saint Paul, MN · 2 mi

551205a

Saint Paul, MN · 2 mi

554505a

Minneapolis, MN · 2 mi

554175a

Minneapolis, MN · 2 mi

554255a

Minneapolis, MN · 3 mi

551055a

Saint Paul, MN · 3 mi

551215a

Saint Paul, MN · 3 mi

All 36 ZIP codes in Saint Paul → · Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55111

What planting zone is ZIP code 55111?

ZIP code 55111 (Saint Paul, 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, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55111 is April 23; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minneapolis/St Paul Airport station.

When is the first frost in Saint Paul, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55111 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55111?

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 55111 get?

About 31.6 inches of precipitation a year and 51 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minneapolis/St Paul Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Saint Paul, MN?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55111 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dorset at the center of ZIP 55111: sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

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

Spring leaf-out near 55111 came on Apr 9 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Saint Paul, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55111 is 15 h 36 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).