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

Planting zone for 52160 — New Albin, IA

ZIP code 52160 (New Albin, Allamakee County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 17.

Where ZIP 52160 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 22
First frostOct 17
2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for New Albin, 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 New Albin, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 17median — 10% chance by Oct 4
Growing season178 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Genoa Dam 8, WI — 9 miles away, elevation 640 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 52160

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 22 – Sep 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 3 – Nov 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 17) 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 52160 came on Mar 30 — 13 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).

Soil in New Albin, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 52160 is Festina — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Festina silt loam, 1 to 6 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 52160; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Albin, IA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,071base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day8 h 57 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall31 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 27 °F, low 11 °F 27°11° JanFebruary: average high 32 °F, low 14 °F 32°14° FebMarch: average high 45 °F, low 26 °F 45°26° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° 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 74 °F, low 54 °F 74°54° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 42 °F 61°42° OctNovember: average high 45 °F, low 30 °F 45°30° NovDecember: average high 32 °F, low 18 °F 32°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 1.08 in precipitation, 9.7 in snowfall 1.1❄10 JanFebruary: 1.01 in precipitation, 6.6 in snowfall 1.0❄7 FebMarch: 1.71 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 1.7❄6 MarApril: 4.17 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 4.2❄2 AprMay: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 6.34 in precipitation 6.3 JunJuly: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 4.40 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 2.65 in precipitation 2.6 OctNovember: 1.89 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 1.9❄2 NovDecember: 1.53 in precipitation, 5.9 in snowfall 1.5❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Genoa Dam 8, WI (9 mi away); precipitation: Dorchester, IA (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

559315a
Eitzen, MN · 3 mi
521405a
Dorchester, IA · 9 mi
521515a
Lansing, IA · 10 mi
559195a
Brownsville, MN · 11 mi
546245a
De Soto, WI · 11 mi
546325a
Genoa, WI · 12 mi
559215a
Caledonia, MN · 12 mi
521725a
Waukon, IA · 15 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 52160

What planting zone is ZIP code 52160?

ZIP code 52160 (New Albin, 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 New Albin, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 52160 is April 22; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Genoa Dam 8 station.

When is the first frost in New Albin, IA?

The median first fall frost near 52160 is October 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 178 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 52160?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 52160 get?

About 38.6 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dorchester station).

How hot do summers get in New Albin, IA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 52160 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Festina at the center of ZIP 52160: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in New Albin, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 52160 came on Mar 30 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Albin, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 52160 is 15 h 25 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 52160 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 52160 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.