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

Planting zone for 55446 — Minneapolis, MN

ZIP code 55446 (Minneapolis, Hennepin County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 55446 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 29

First frostOct 12

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 Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station New Hope, MN — 6 miles away, elevation 909 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 55446

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 55446 came on Apr 11 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17).

average
Apr 172026
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 Minneapolis, MN.

Soil in Minneapolis, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 55446 is Muskego — muck, very poorly drained.

TextureMucktop layer

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter70%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Muskego and Houghton soils, 0 to 1 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 55446; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minneapolis, MN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,711base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation34.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall54 inper year; 104 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: New Hope, MN (6 mi away); precipitation: New Hope, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

555734b

Young America, MN · 2 mi

555774b

Maple Plain, MN · 2 mi

555934b

Maple Plain, MN · 2 mi

555994b

Loretto, MN · 2 mi

554475a

Minneapolis, MN · 3 mi

554425a

Minneapolis, MN · 3 mi

554415a

Minneapolis, MN · 4 mi

553115a

Maple Grove, MN · 5 mi

All 66 ZIP codes in Minneapolis → · Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 55446

What planting zone is ZIP code 55446?

ZIP code 55446 (Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 55446 is April 29; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Hope station.

When is the first frost in Minneapolis, MN?

The median first fall frost near 55446 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 55446?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 55446 get?

About 34.7 inches of precipitation a year and 54 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Hope station).

How hot do summers get in Minneapolis, MN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 55446 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Muskego at the center of ZIP 55446: muck, very poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Minneapolis, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 55446 came on Apr 11 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Minneapolis, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 55446 is 15 h 37 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 55446 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 55446 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.