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

Planting zone for 51025 — Holstein, IA

ZIP code 51025 (Holstein, Ida County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 51025 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 30

First frostOct 9

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 Holstein, 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 Holstein, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Holstein, IA — within 1 mile, elevation 1,371 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 51025

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 14 – Aug 28

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 51025 came on Mar 25 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 9).

average
Apr 92026
Mar 25

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 Holstein, IA.

Soil in Holstein, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 51025 is Galva — silty clay loam, well drained.

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

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Galva silty clay loam, 5 to 9 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 51025; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Holstein, IA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low9 °Faverage low, January

Hot days10days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,839base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 18 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation33.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall35 inper year; 64 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: Holstein, IA (within 1 mile); precipitation: Holstein, IA (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

Ida Grove, IA · 13 mi

510165a

Correctionville, IA · 13 mi

510065a

Battle Creek, IA · 13 mi

510535a

Schaller, IA · 14 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 51025

What planting zone is ZIP code 51025?

ZIP code 51025 (Holstein, 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 Holstein, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 51025 is April 30; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holstein station.

When is the first frost in Holstein, IA?

The median first fall frost near 51025 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 51025?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 51025 get?

About 33.2 inches of precipitation a year and 35 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holstein station).

How hot do summers get in Holstein, IA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 10 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 51025 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Galva at the center of ZIP 51025: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Holstein, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 51025 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 Holstein, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 51025 is 15 h 18 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).