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

Planting zone for 50482 — Ventura, IA

ZIP code 50482 (Ventura, Cerro Gordo County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 50482 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 frostMay 3

First frostOct 1

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 Ventura, 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 Ventura, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18

Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Mason City Municipal Airport, IA — 8 miles away, elevation 1,224 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 50482

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31

BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 50482 came on Mar 30 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14).

average
Apr 142026
Mar 30

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.

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 Ventura, IA.

Soil in Ventura, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 50482 is Dickinson — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dickinson fine sandy loam, 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 50482; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ventura, IA

Summer high83 °Faverage high, July

Winter low7 °Faverage low, January

Hot days12days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights161nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,628base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation36.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall44 inper year; 79 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: Mason City Municipal Airport, IA (8 mi away); precipitation: Mason City Municipal Airport, IA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

504285a

Clear Lake, IA · 5 mi

Swaledale, IA · 12 mi

504445a

Hanlontown, IA · 13 mi

504795a

Thornton, IA · 13 mi

504365a

Forest City, IA · 14 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 50482

What planting zone is ZIP code 50482?

ZIP code 50482 (Ventura, 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 Ventura, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 50482 is May 3; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mason City Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Ventura, IA?

The median first fall frost near 50482 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 50482?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 50482 get?

About 36.3 inches of precipitation a year and 44 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mason City Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Ventura, IA?

The average high peaks at 83 °F in July, with about 12 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 50482 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dickinson at the center of ZIP 50482: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ventura, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 50482 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ventura, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 50482 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).