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

Planting zone for 68045 — Oakland, NE

ZIP code 68045 (Oakland, Burt County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 68045 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F
Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C
Last frostApr 28
First frostOct 12
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Oakland, 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 Oakland, NE

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 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 26
Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station W Pt, NE — 11 miles away, elevation 1,309 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 68045

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 68045 came on Mar 18 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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.

Trees 31

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbitternut hickory75 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −47 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack oak80 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −30 °F

Shrubs 55

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 190

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °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 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 130

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °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 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °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 Oakland, NE.

Soil in Oakland, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68045 is Belfore — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.25%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Belfore silty clay loam, terrace, 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 68045; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Oakland, NE

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights153nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,141base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.1 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 11 °F 30°11° JanFebruary: average high 35 °F, low 15 °F 35°15° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 49 °F 71°49° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 60 °F 81°60° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 65 °F 85°65° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 16 °F 35°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.74 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 1.63 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JunJuly: 3.70 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 2.32 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 1.23 in precipitation 1.2 NovDecember: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: W Pt, NE (11 mi away); precipitation: Uehling, NE (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

680195b
Craig, NE · 7 mi
680635b
Uehling, NE · 7 mi
680385b
Lyons, NE · 9 mi
687885b
West Point, NE · 12 mi
680315b
Hooper, NE · 13 mi
680615b
Tekamah, NE · 14 mi
680045a
Bancroft, NE · 14 mi
680205b
Decatur, NE · 15 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68045

What planting zone is ZIP code 68045?

ZIP code 68045 (Oakland, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Oakland, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68045 is April 28; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Pt station.

When is the first frost in Oakland, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68045 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68045?

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 68045 get?

About 31.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Uehling station).

How hot do summers get in Oakland, NE?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68045 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Belfore at the center of ZIP 68045: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Oakland, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68045 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Oakland, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68045 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68045 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68045 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.