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

Planting zone for Hastings, NE

Hastings, NE is in USDA zone 6a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 16.

Hastings on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 22

First frostOct 16

Growing season176 days

6a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hastings, NE…

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 Hastings, NE

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 16median — 10% chance by Oct 2

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Hastings Municipal Airport, NE, elevation 1,939 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 Hastings

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 68901 came on Mar 8 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 8

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 6a in Nebraska

432 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nebraska, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. 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 Hastings, NE.

Soil in Hastings, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68901 is Hastings — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hastings silt loam, 0 to 1 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 68901; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hastings, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights139nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,535base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation28.7 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: Hastings Municipal Airport, NE (3 mi away); precipitation: Hastings 1.0 Ese, NE (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Hastings

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about Hastings

What planting zone is Hastings, NE?

Hastings, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map (6a: −10 to −5 °F).

When is the last frost in Hastings, NE?

The median last spring frost is April 22 and the median first fall frost is October 16 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hastings Municipal Airport station).

When can I plant a garden in Hastings, NE?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 11 – Apr 1; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 29, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Hastings, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Hastings, NE get?

About 28.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).