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

Planting zone for 51049 — Quimby, IA

ZIP code 51049 (Quimby, Cherokee County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 51049 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 4
First frostOct 4
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 Quimby, 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 Quimby, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Cherokee, IA — 11 miles away, elevation 1,211 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 51049

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 51049 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 Quimby, IA.

Soil in Quimby, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 51049 is Wadena — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter4%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wadena loam, 24 to 32 inches to sand and gravel, 0 to 2 percent.

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 51049; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Quimby, IA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low7 °Faverage low, January
Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights165nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,850base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 19 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)
Precipitation31.2 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall38 inper year; 66 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 7 °F 27°7° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 11 °F 32°11° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 23 °F 45°23° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 34 °F 59°34° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 36 °F 62°36° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 24 °F 46°24° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 13 °F 32°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.65 in precipitation, 7.5 in snowfall 0.7❄8 JanFebruary: 0.78 in precipitation, 8.4 in snowfall 0.8❄8 FebMarch: 1.66 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 1.7❄5 MarApril: 3.17 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 3.2❄3 AprMay: 4.28 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.3 MayJune: 5.20 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 4.12 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.25 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 2.3❄1 OctNovember: 1.46 in precipitation, 4 in snowfall 1.5❄4 NovDecember: 0.93 in precipitation, 9.4 in snowfall 0.9❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cherokee, IA (11 mi away); precipitation: Cherokee, IA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

510615a
Washta, IA · 5 mi
510125a
Cherokee, IA · 9 mi
510255a
Holstein, IA · 10 mi
510145a
Cleghorn, IA · 11 mi
510485a
Pierson, IA · 11 mi
510185a
Cushing, IA · 13 mi
510355a
Marcus, IA · 13 mi
510055a
Aurelia, IA · 13 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 51049

What planting zone is ZIP code 51049?

ZIP code 51049 (Quimby, 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 Quimby, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 51049 is May 4; after May 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cherokee station.

When is the first frost in Quimby, IA?

The median first fall frost near 51049 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 51049?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 51049 get?

About 31.2 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cherokee station).

How hot do summers get in Quimby, IA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 51049 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wadena at the center of ZIP 51049: loam, well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Quimby, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 51049 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 Quimby, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 51049 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).