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

Planting zone for 52154 — Lawler, IA

ZIP code 52154 (Lawler, Chickasaw County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 52154 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 2

First frostOct 5

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 Lawler, 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 Lawler, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season155 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station New Hampton, IA — 9 miles away, elevation 1,148 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 52154

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 52154 came on Mar 30 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13).

average
Apr 132026
Mar 30

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 Lawler, IA.

Soil in Lawler, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 52154 is Kenyon — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.9%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kenyon loam, 2 to 5 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 52154; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lawler, IA

Summer high81 °Faverage high, July

Winter low6 °Faverage low, January

Hot days8days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,499base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 23 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 59 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation38.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: New Hampton, IA (9 mi away); precipitation: Waucoma 1wnw, IA (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

New Hampton, IA · 8 mi

521445a

Fort Atkinson, IA · 10 mi

506305a

Fredericksburg, IA · 11 mi

521665a

Saint Lucas, IA · 12 mi

521684b

Spillville, IA · 12 mi

506615a

North Washington, IA · 13 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 52154

What planting zone is ZIP code 52154?

ZIP code 52154 (Lawler, 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 Lawler, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 52154 is May 2; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Hampton station.

When is the first frost in Lawler, IA?

The median first fall frost near 52154 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 155 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 52154?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 52154 get?

About 38.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Waucoma 1wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Lawler, IA?

The average high peaks at 81 °F in July, with about 8 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 52154 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kenyon at the center of ZIP 52154: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lawler, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 52154 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lawler, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 52154 is 15 h 23 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).