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

Planting zone for 68418 — Palmyra, NE

ZIP code 68418 (Palmyra, Otoe County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 68418 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 25
First frostOct 11
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 Palmyra, 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 Palmyra, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 25median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 25
Growing season168 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Syracuse, NE — 10 miles away, elevation 1,099 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 68418

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Apr 4
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
TomatoesTransplant · May 2 – May 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 9 – May 23
BeansSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 2 – May 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 16 – Aug 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 25) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 68418 came on Mar 10 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

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 Palmyra, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68418 is Wymore — silty clay, moderately well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.1slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wymore silty clay, 3 to 6 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 68418; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Palmyra, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights147nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,511base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation31.7 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 13 °F 34°13° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 27 °F 52°27° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°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 65 °F 88°65° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 62 °F 87°62° AugSeptember: average high 80 °F, low 53 °F 80°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: 0.77 in precipitation 0.8 JanFebruary: 0.86 in precipitation 0.9 FebMarch: 1.61 in precipitation 1.6 MarApril: 2.76 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 MayJune: 4.68 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 3.42 in precipitation 3.4 AugSeptember: 3.15 in precipitation 3.1 SepOctober: 2.69 in precipitation 2.7 OctNovember: 1.48 in precipitation 1.5 NovDecember: 1.16 in precipitation 1.2 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Syracuse, NE (10 mi away); precipitation: Syracuse 2.0 W, NE (9 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.

684546a
Unadilla, NE · 5 mi
683176a
Bennet, NE · 7 mi
683476a
Eagle, NE · 8 mi
684616a
Walton, NE · 8 mi
683446a
Douglas, NE · 9 mi
684196a
Panama, NE · 9 mi
683496a
Elmwood, NE · 10 mi
683245b
Burr, NE · 11 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68418

What planting zone is ZIP code 68418?

ZIP code 68418 (Palmyra, 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 Palmyra, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68418 is April 25; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Syracuse station.

When is the first frost in Palmyra, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68418 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68418?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 28 – Mar 14 and set transplants outside around May 2 – May 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68418 get?

About 31.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Syracuse 2.0 W station).

How hot do summers get in Palmyra, 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 68418 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wymore at the center of ZIP 68418: silty clay, moderately well drained, pH about 6.1 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Palmyra, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68418 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Palmyra, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68418 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68418 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68418 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.