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

Planting zone for 51007 — Bronson, IA

ZIP code 51007 (Bronson, Woodbury 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 7.

Where ZIP 51007 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 7

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 Bronson, 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 Bronson, IA

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 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 7median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 18.

From the NOAA station Sioux City Ang, IA — 10 miles away, elevation 1,099 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 51007

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 12 – Aug 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 23 – Oct 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 7) 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 51007 came on Mar 20 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

average
Apr 62026
Mar 20

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 Bronson, IA.

Soil in Bronson, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 51007 is Ida — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.7slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ida silt loam, 5 to 9 percent slopes, severely 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 51007; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bronson, IA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,042base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sioux City Ang, IA (10 mi away); precipitation: Sioux City Ang, IA (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

510305a

Lawton, IA · 7 mi

510155a

Climbing Hill, IA · 7 mi

511025a

Sioux City, IA · 7 mi

510525a

Salix, IA · 8 mi

511065a

Sioux City, IA · 8 mi

510545a

Sergeant Bluff, IA · 8 mi

510395a

Moville, IA · 8 mi

511115a

Sioux City, IA · 10 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 51007

What planting zone is ZIP code 51007?

ZIP code 51007 (Bronson, 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 Bronson, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 51007 is April 29; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sioux City Ang station.

When is the first frost in Bronson, IA?

The median first fall frost near 51007 is October 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 51007?

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 51007 get?

About 30.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sioux City Ang station).

How hot do summers get in Bronson, IA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 51007 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ida at the center of ZIP 51007: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.7 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Bronson, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 51007 came on Mar 20 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bronson, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 51007 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).