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

Planting zone for 50278 — Zearing, IA

ZIP code 50278 (Zearing, Story County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 50278 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 24
First frostOct 12
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 Zearing, 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 Zearing, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season170 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Colo, IA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,001 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 50278

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
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 24) 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 50278 came on Mar 25 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (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 Iowa

461 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Iowa, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 46

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbalsam fir60 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Shrubs 77

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 185

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low 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 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Grasses 133

arctic brome3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBicknell's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fblue grama1 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °Ftrumpet honeysuckle16 ft · blooms late summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °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 Zearing, IA.

Soil in Zearing, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 50278 is Clarion — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Clarion loam, Bemis moraine, 2 to 6 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 50278; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Zearing, IA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days11days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,971base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation35.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall31 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 10 °F 27°10° JanFebruary: average high 31 °F, low 14 °F 31°14° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 49 °F 70°49° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JunJuly: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 16 °F 32°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.78 in precipitation, 7.9 in snowfall 0.8❄8 JanFebruary: 0.89 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 0.9❄8 FebMarch: 1.84 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 1.8❄3 MarApril: 3.54 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 3.5❄1 AprMay: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.81 in precipitation 5.8 JunJuly: 4.07 in precipitation 4.1 JulAugust: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 2.48 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 2.5 OctNovember: 1.76 in precipitation, 1.8 in snowfall 1.8❄2 NovDecember: 1.24 in precipitation, 8.5 in snowfall 1.2❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Colo, IA (9 mi away); precipitation: Zearing, IA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

501545a
Mc Callsburg, IA · 5 mi
502395a
Saint Anthony, IA · 5 mi
501025a
Garden City, IA · 8 mi
502065a
New Providence, IA · 8 mi
500515a
Clemons, IA · 8 mi
500565a
Colo, IA · 9 mi
502365a
Roland, IA · 10 mi
501225a
Hubbard, IA · 10 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 50278

What planting zone is ZIP code 50278?

ZIP code 50278 (Zearing, IA) 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 Zearing, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 50278 is April 24; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Colo station.

When is the first frost in Zearing, IA?

The median first fall frost near 50278 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 170 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 50278?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 50278 get?

About 35.2 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Zearing station).

How hot do summers get in Zearing, IA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 11 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 50278 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Clarion at the center of ZIP 50278: loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Zearing, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 50278 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Zearing, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 50278 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).