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

Planting zone for 52056 — Luxemburg, IA

ZIP code 52056 (Luxemburg, Dubuque County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 52056 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 21
First frostOct 18
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 Luxemburg, 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 Luxemburg, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 27.

From the NOAA station Guttenberg L&D 10, IA — 12 miles away, elevation 617 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 52056

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 52056 came on Mar 28 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12).

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 Luxemburg, IA.

Soil in Luxemburg, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 52056 is Downs — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Downs silt loam, 9 to 14 percent slopes, moderately 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 52056; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Luxemburg, IA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days13days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights133nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,064base 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)
Precipitation37.3 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall34 inper year; 72 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 28 °F, low 10 °F 28°10° JanFebruary: average high 33 °F, low 14 °F 33°14° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 27 °F 45°27° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 39 °F 59°39° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 50 °F 71°50° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 62 °F 82°62° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 54 °F 75°54° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 42 °F 61°42° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 29 °F 46°29° NovDecember: average high 33 °F, low 18 °F 33°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.33 in precipitation, 10 in snowfall 1.3❄10 JanFebruary: 1.23 in precipitation, 9.3 in snowfall 1.2❄9 FebMarch: 1.98 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 2.0❄4 MarApril: 3.65 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.6❄1 AprMay: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 5.70 in precipitation 5.7 JunJuly: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 2.81 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 2.8 OctNovember: 2.13 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 2.1❄1 NovDecember: 1.66 in precipitation, 9.2 in snowfall 1.7❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Guttenberg L&D 10, IA (12 mi away); precipitation: Guttenberg L&D 10, IA (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

520655a
New Vienna, IA · 2 mi
520535a
Holy Cross, IA · 6 mi
520355a
Colesburg, IA · 7 mi
520405a
Dyersville, IA · 8 mi
520665a
North Buena Vista, IA · 8 mi
520525a
Guttenberg, IA · 10 mi
520415a
Earlville, IA · 11 mi
538065a
Cassville, WI · 12 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 52056

What planting zone is ZIP code 52056?

ZIP code 52056 (Luxemburg, 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 Luxemburg, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 52056 is April 21; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Guttenberg L&D 10 station.

When is the first frost in Luxemburg, IA?

The median first fall frost near 52056 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 52056?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 52056 get?

About 37.3 inches of precipitation a year and 34 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Guttenberg L&D 10 station).

How hot do summers get in Luxemburg, IA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 13 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 52056 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Downs at the center of ZIP 52056: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Luxemburg, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 52056 came on Mar 28 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Luxemburg, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 52056 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).