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

Planting zone for 68323 — Burchard, NE

ZIP code 68323 (Burchard, Pawnee County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 20.

Where ZIP 68323 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F
Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C
Last frostApr 22
First frostOct 20
2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Burchard, 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 Burchard, 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 20median — 10% chance by Oct 1
Growing season179 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 31.

From the NOAA station Virginia, NE — 11 miles away, elevation 1,545 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 68323

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 25 – Sep 8
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 6 – Nov 10
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 20) 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 68323 came on Mar 12 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

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.

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 57

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 198

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 8

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 creeper2 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −13 °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 Burchard, NE.

Soil in Burchard, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68323 is Pawnee — clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureClay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Pawnee clay loam, 4 to 8 percent slopes, 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 68323; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Burchard, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days29days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights138nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,450base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation33.1 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 34 °F, low 14 °F 34°14° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 18 °F 39°18° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 28 °F 51°28° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 39 °F 63°39° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 50 °F 72°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 55 °F 78°55° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 42 °F 65°42° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 19 °F 38°19° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.79 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 MarApril: 3.10 in precipitation 3.1 AprMay: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 MayJune: 4.55 in precipitation 4.5 JunJuly: 4.20 in precipitation 4.2 JulAugust: 3.75 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.27 in precipitation 3.3 SepOctober: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 1.50 in precipitation 1.5 NovDecember: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Virginia, NE (11 mi away); precipitation: Steinauer 3.1 W, NE (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

683816a
Liberty, NE · 7 mi
683806a
Lewiston, NE · 8 mi
684586a
Virginia, NE · 9 mi
684416a
Steinauer, NE · 9 mi
684206a
Pawnee City, NE · 10 mi
665416a
Summerfield, KS · 10 mi
683096a
Barneston, NE · 12 mi
683326a
Crab Orchard, NE · 14 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68323

What planting zone is ZIP code 68323?

ZIP code 68323 (Burchard, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Burchard, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68323 is April 22; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Virginia station.

When is the first frost in Burchard, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68323 is October 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 179 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68323?

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 68323 get?

About 33.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Steinauer 3.1 W station).

How hot do summers get in Burchard, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 29 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68323 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pawnee at the center of ZIP 68323: clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Burchard, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68323 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Burchard, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68323 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68323 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68323 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.