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

Planting zone for 51653 — Tabor, IA

ZIP code 51653 (Tabor, Fremont County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 51653 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 19

First frostOct 19

2012 zone5b

Was 5b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Tabor, 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 Tabor, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season182 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 29.

From the NOAA station Sidney 1sse, IA — 10 miles away, elevation 1,142 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 51653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 19) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 51653 came on Mar 11 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 11

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).

Soil in Tabor, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 51653 is Ida — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.6slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ida silt loam, 9 to 14 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 51653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tabor, IA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,386base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation35.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall24 inper year; 47 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: Sidney 1sse, IA (10 mi away); precipitation: Randolph, IA (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

7 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Pacific Junction, IA · 11 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 51653

What planting zone is ZIP code 51653?

ZIP code 51653 (Tabor, IA) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Tabor, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 51653 is April 19; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sidney 1sse station.

When is the first frost in Tabor, IA?

The median first fall frost near 51653 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 182 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 51653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 51653 get?

About 35.2 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Randolph station).

How hot do summers get in Tabor, IA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 51653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ida at the center of ZIP 51653: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Tabor, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 51653 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tabor, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 51653 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 51653 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 51653 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.