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

Planting zone for 50061 — Cumming, IA

ZIP code 50061 (Cumming, Warren County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 50061 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 18

First frostOct 20

2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cumming, IA…

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 Cumming, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 20median — 10% chance by Oct 4

Growing season184 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Des Moines Intl Airport, IA — 9 miles away, elevation 958 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 50061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 25 – Sep 8

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 50061 came on Mar 19 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 19

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 5b in Iowa

473 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Iowa, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Cumming, IA.

Soil in Cumming, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 50061 is Colo — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter6%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Colo, occasionally flooded-Ely silty clay loams, dissected till plain, 2 to 5 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 50061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cumming, IA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights128nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,476base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation36.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall37 inper year; 52 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: Des Moines Intl Airport, IA (9 mi away); precipitation: Des Moines Intl Airport, IA (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

502115b

Norwalk, IA · 5 mi

502655b

West Des Moines, IA · 5 mi

502665b

West Des Moines, IA · 6 mi

502615b

Van Meter, IA · 6 mi

500385b

Booneville, IA · 6 mi

502295b

Prole, IA · 7 mi

501605b

Martensdale, IA · 8 mi

503215b

Des Moines, IA · 8 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 50061

What planting zone is ZIP code 50061?

ZIP code 50061 (Cumming, IA) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Cumming, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 50061 is April 18; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Des Moines Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Cumming, IA?

The median first fall frost near 50061 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 184 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 50061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 50061 get?

About 36.5 inches of precipitation a year and 37 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Des Moines Intl Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Cumming, IA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 50061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colo at the center of ZIP 50061: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cumming, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 50061 came on Mar 19 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cumming, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 50061 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 50061 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 50061 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.