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

Planting zone for 68341 — De Witt, NE

ZIP code 68341 (De Witt, Saline County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 68341 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 24
First frostOct 15
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 De Witt, 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 De Witt, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season172 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 14 and returns around October 23.

From the NOAA station Beatrice 1n, NE — 11 miles away, elevation 1,296 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 68341

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Apr 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 3 – Apr 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
TomatoesTransplant · May 1 – May 15
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 8 – May 22
BeansSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 1 – May 15
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 68341 came on Mar 10 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

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).

Soil in De Witt, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68341 is Kennebec — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Kennebec silt loam, rarely flooded.

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 68341; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in De Witt, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights145nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,536base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 03 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 17 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.9 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 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 27 °F 52°27° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° AprMay: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° MayJune: average high 84 °F, low 61 °F 84°61° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° SepOctober: average high 67 °F, low 40 °F 67°40° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 18 °F 39°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.70 in precipitation 0.7 JanFebruary: 0.83 in precipitation 0.8 FebMarch: 1.59 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 SepOctober: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 1.32 in precipitation 1.3 NovDecember: 0.84 in precipitation 0.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Beatrice 1n, NE (11 mi away); precipitation: Dewitt 1.4 Se, NE (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

683286a
Clatonia, NE · 7 mi
684246a
Plymouth, NE · 8 mi
684456a
Swanton, NE · 9 mi
684656a
Wilber, NE · 9 mi
684226a
Pickrell, NE · 12 mi
683316a
Cortland, NE · 12 mi
683686a
Hallam, NE · 13 mi
683776a
Jansen, NE · 13 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68341

What planting zone is ZIP code 68341?

ZIP code 68341 (De Witt, 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 De Witt, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68341 is April 24; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beatrice 1n station.

When is the first frost in De Witt, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68341 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 172 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68341?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 27 – Mar 13 and set transplants outside around May 1 – May 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68341 get?

About 29.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dewitt 1.4 Se station).

How hot do summers get in De Witt, NE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 40 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68341 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Kennebec at the center of ZIP 68341: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.2 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in De Witt, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68341 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in De Witt, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68341 is 15 h 03 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68341 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68341 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.