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

Planting zone for Sidney, NE

Sidney, NE is in USDA zone 5b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 4.

Sidney 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMay 8

First frostOct 4

Growing season149 days

5b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sidney, 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 Sidney, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 20only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 21

Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 27 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Sidney 6 Nnw, NE, elevation 4,321 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 Sidney

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 69160 came on Mar 2 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

average
Mar 312026
Mar 2

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 5b in Nebraska

420 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nebraska, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Sidney, NE.

Soil in Sidney, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69160 is Sidney — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sidney-Canyon complex, 3 to 9 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 69160; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sidney, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights170nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,796base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation18.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall29 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sidney 6 Nnw, NE (within 1 mile); precipitation: Sidney 6 Nnw, NE (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Sidney

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about Sidney

What planting zone is Sidney, NE?

Sidney, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map (5b: −15 to −10 °F).

When is the last frost in Sidney, NE?

The median last spring frost is May 8 and the median first fall frost is October 4 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sidney 6 Nnw station).

When can I plant a garden in Sidney, NE?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Mar 27 – Apr 17; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about May 15, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Sidney, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

How much rain and snow does Sidney, NE get?

About 18.2 inches of precipitation a year and 29 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).