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

Planting zone for 52750 — Goose Lake, IA

ZIP code 52750 (Goose Lake, Clinton 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 16.

Where ZIP 52750 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 16
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 Goose Lake, 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 Goose Lake, 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 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 16median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season175 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 13 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Clinton #1, IA — 12 miles away, elevation 584 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 52750

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 21 – Sep 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 2 – Nov 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 16) 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 52750 came on Mar 25 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7).

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 Goose Lake, IA.

Soil in Goose Lake, IA

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 52750 is Fayette — 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%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Fayette silt loam, 14 to 18 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 52750; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Goose Lake, IA

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days15days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights129nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,282base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation38.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 29 °F, low 14 °F 29°14° JanFebruary: average high 34 °F, low 18 °F 34°18° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 29 °F 48°29° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 61 °F 81°61° JunJuly: average high 84 °F, low 65 °F 84°65° JulAugust: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 43 °F 63°43° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 31 °F 48°31° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 21 °F 35°21° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 JanFebruary: 1.73 in precipitation 1.7 FebMarch: 2.50 in precipitation 2.5 MarApril: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 4.65 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 JunJuly: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 AugSeptember: 3.61 in precipitation 3.6 SepOctober: 2.87 in precipitation 2.9 OctNovember: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 NovDecember: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Clinton #1, IA (12 mi away); precipitation: Camanche 1.2 W, IA (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

527275a
Bryant, IA · 4 mi
527315a
Charlotte, IA · 5 mi
527325b
Clinton, IA · 8 mi
527015a
Andover, IA · 8 mi
520695a
Preston, IA · 9 mi
527715a
Teeds Grove, IA · 9 mi
527425b
De Witt, IA · 9 mi
527575b
Low Moor, IA · 9 mi

Iowa planting zones →

Questions about 52750

What planting zone is ZIP code 52750?

ZIP code 52750 (Goose Lake, 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 Goose Lake, IA?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 52750 is April 22; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clinton #1 station.

When is the first frost in Goose Lake, IA?

The median first fall frost near 52750 is October 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 175 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 52750?

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 52750 get?

About 38.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Camanche 1.2 W station).

How hot do summers get in Goose Lake, IA?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 15 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 52750 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fayette at the center of ZIP 52750: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Goose Lake, IA in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 52750 came on Mar 25 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Goose Lake, IA?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 52750 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).