Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for 68431 — Rulo, NE

ZIP code 68431 (Rulo, Richardson County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost October 14.

Where ZIP 68431 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 18

First frostOct 14

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 Rulo, 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 Rulo, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 14median — 10% chance by Sep 28

Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 9 and returns around October 25.

From the NOAA station Falls City 4ne, NE — 4 miles away, elevation 932 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 68431

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 2 – May 16

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 25 – May 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 19 – Sep 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 30 – Nov 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 18) and first fall frost (Oct 14) 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 68431 came on Mar 11 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
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).

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.

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 Rulo, NE.

Soil in Rulo, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68431 is Pohocco — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pohocco silt loam, 11 to 17 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 68431; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rulo, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,557base 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)

Precipitation33.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Falls City 4ne, NE (4 mi away); precipitation: Rulo 2w, NE (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

644376a

Craig, MO · 6 mi

683556a

Falls City, NE · 8 mi

660946a

White Cloud, KS · 9 mi

644516a

Forest City, MO · 13 mi

644706a

Mound City, MO · 13 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68431

What planting zone is ZIP code 68431?

ZIP code 68431 (Rulo, 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 Rulo, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68431 is April 18; after May 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Falls City 4ne station.

When is the first frost in Rulo, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68431 is October 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68431?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 21 – Mar 7 and set transplants outside around Apr 25 – May 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68431 get?

About 33.6 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rulo 2w station).

How hot do summers get in Rulo, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68431 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pohocco at the center of ZIP 68431: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Rulo, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68431 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rulo, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68431 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68431 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68431 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.