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

Planting zone for 51036 — Maurice, IA

ZIP code 51036 (Maurice, Sioux 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 3.

Where ZIP 51036 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 3
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 Maurice, 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 Maurice, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season154 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 21 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Sioux Center 2 Se, IA — 6 miles away, elevation 1,362 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 51036

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 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 51036 came on Mar 25 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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 Maurice, IA.

Soil in Maurice, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 51036 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 silty clay loam, deep loess, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 51036; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Maurice, IA

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days23days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights154nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,058base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 21 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 00 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.9 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall35 inper year; 70 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 9 °F 27°9° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 14 °F 33°14° FebMarch: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 48 °F 73°48° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 51 °F 77°51° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 25 °F 46°25° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 15 °F 32°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.67 in precipitation, 6.8 in snowfall 0.7❄7 JanFebruary: 0.88 in precipitation, 7.7 in snowfall 0.9❄8 FebMarch: 1.72 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 1.7❄6 MarApril: 2.98 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 3.0❄3 AprMay: 4.15 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.2 MayJune: 4.51 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 3.45 in precipitation 3.5 JulAugust: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 SepOctober: 2.46 in precipitation, 0.9 in snowfall 2.5❄1 OctNovember: 1.43 in precipitation, 3.9 in snowfall 1.4❄4 NovDecember: 0.99 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 1.0❄7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sioux Center 2 Se, IA (6 mi away); precipitation: Sioux Center 2 Se, IA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

510415a
Orange City, IA · 7 mi
510275a
Ireton, IA · 7 mi
512505a
Sioux Center, IA · 8 mi
510035a
Alton, IA · 10 mi
510315a
Le Mars, IA · 12 mi
510085a
Brunsville, IA · 12 mi
510235a
Hawarden, IA · 14 mi
512395a
Hull, IA · 16 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 51036

What planting zone is ZIP code 51036?

ZIP code 51036 (Maurice, 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 Maurice, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 51036 is April 30; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sioux Center 2 Se station.

When is the first frost in Maurice, IA?

The median first fall frost near 51036 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 154 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 51036?

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 51036 get?

About 29.9 inches of precipitation a year and 35 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sioux Center 2 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Maurice, IA?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 23 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 51036 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Colo at the center of ZIP 51036: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Maurice, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 51036 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Maurice, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 51036 is 15 h 21 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).