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

Planting zone for 68420 — Pawnee City, NE

ZIP code 68420 (Pawnee City, 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 15.

Where ZIP 68420 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 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 Pawnee City, 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 Pawnee City, 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 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 29

Growing season173 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 12 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Pawnee City, NE — 3 miles away, elevation 1,188 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 68420

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 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 22) 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 68420 came on Mar 11 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25).

average
Mar 252026
Mar 11

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 Pawnee City, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68420 is Wymore — silty clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.0slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wymore silty clay loam, 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 68420; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pawnee City, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days40days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,556base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 01 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)

Precipitation33.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pawnee City, NE (3 mi away); precipitation: Seneca 8 Nw, KS (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

683456a

Du Bois, NE · 9 mi

684476a

Table Rock, NE · 10 mi

683236a

Burchard, NE · 10 mi

684416a

Steinauer, NE · 11 mi

665416a

Summerfield, KS · 11 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68420

What planting zone is ZIP code 68420?

ZIP code 68420 (Pawnee City, 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 Pawnee City, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68420 is April 22; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pawnee City station.

When is the first frost in Pawnee City, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68420 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 173 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68420?

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 68420 get?

About 33.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Seneca 8 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Pawnee City, 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 68420 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wymore at the center of ZIP 68420: silty clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pawnee City, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68420 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pawnee City, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68420 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68420 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68420 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.