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

Planting zone for 52202 — Alburnett, IA

ZIP code 52202 (Alburnett, Linn County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 52202 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 28
First frostOct 12
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 Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, IA

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 29
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Cedar Rapids #1, IA — 8 miles away, elevation 814 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 52202

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 52202 came on Mar 25 — 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10).

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 Alburnett, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 52202 is Oran — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Oran loam, 0 to 2 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 52202; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Alburnett, IA

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days18days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,266base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 30 °F, low 13 °F 30°13° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 17 °F 35°17° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 53 °F 77°53° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 19 °F 35°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 JanFebruary: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 FebMarch: 2.07 in precipitation 2.1 MarApril: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.80 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.83 in precipitation 5.8 JunJuly: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.90 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 OctNovember: 2.15 in precipitation 2.1 NovDecember: 1.60 in precipitation 1.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Cedar Rapids #1, IA (8 mi away); precipitation: Central City 6.7 W, IA (3 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.

524075b
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
524085a
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
524095a
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
524105a
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
524975a
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
524985b
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
524995a
Cedar Rapids, IA · 6 mi
523415a
Toddville, IA · 6 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 52202

What planting zone is ZIP code 52202?

ZIP code 52202 (Alburnett, 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 Alburnett, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 52202 is April 28; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cedar Rapids #1 station.

When is the first frost in Alburnett, IA?

The median first fall frost near 52202 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 52202?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 52202 get?

About 38.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Central City 6.7 W station).

How hot do summers get in Alburnett, IA?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 18 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 52202 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oran at the center of ZIP 52202: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Alburnett, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 52202 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 16 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Alburnett, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 52202 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).