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

Planting zone for 56343 — Kensington, MN

ZIP code 56343 (Kensington, Douglas County) is in USDA zone 4b: the coldest winter night averages −25 to −20 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 8.

Where ZIP 56343 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 2
First frostOct 8
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 Kensington, 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 Kensington, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 8median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season159 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Alexandria Municipal Airport, MN — 16 miles away, elevation 1,417 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 56343

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21
TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30
BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 13 – Aug 27
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 24 – Oct 29
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 8) 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 56343 came on Apr 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

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.

Trees 47

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbalsam poplar80 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −79 °F

Shrubs 88

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 190

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine bistort1 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Grasses 156

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °Farctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked sedge4 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 4

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Kensington, MN.

Soil in Kensington, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56343 is Barnes — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Barnes-Buse complex, 6 to 12 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 56343; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Kensington, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July
Winter low2 °Faverage low, January
Hot days6days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights167nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,347base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 44 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation26.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

−10°0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 19 °F, low 2 °F 19°2° JanFebruary: average high 24 °F, low 6 °F 24°6° FebMarch: average high 37 °F, low 19 °F 37°19° MarApril: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° AprMay: average high 66 °F, low 46 °F 66°46° MayJune: average high 76 °F, low 56 °F 76°56° JunJuly: average high 80 °F, low 61 °F 80°61° JulAugust: average high 78 °F, low 59 °F 78°59° AugSeptember: average high 70 °F, low 50 °F 70°50° SepOctober: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° OctNovember: average high 38 °F, low 23 °F 38°23° NovDecember: average high 24 °F, low 10 °F 24°10° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.71 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.69 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.14 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 AprMay: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 SepOctober: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 OctNovember: 1.02 in precipitation 1.0 NovDecember: 0.65 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Alexandria Municipal Airport, MN (16 mi away); precipitation: Kensington 5.9 Ne, MN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4b.

563394b
Hoffman, MN · 6 mi
563274b
Farwell, MN · 6 mi
563414b
Holmes City, MN · 9 mi
563494b
Lowry, MN · 11 mi
563114b
Barrett, MN · 11 mi
563234b
Cyrus, MN · 12 mi
563154b
Brandon, MN · 14 mi
563324b
Garfield, MN · 15 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56343

What planting zone is ZIP code 56343?

ZIP code 56343 (Kensington, 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 Kensington, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56343 is May 2; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Alexandria Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Kensington, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56343 is October 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 159 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56343?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56343 get?

About 26.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kensington 5.9 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Kensington, MN?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 6 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56343 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barnes at the center of ZIP 56343: loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Kensington, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56343 came on Apr 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Kensington, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56343 is 15 h 44 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 56343 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 56343 in zone 4a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 4b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.