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

Planting zone for 68442 — Stella, NE

ZIP code 68442 (Stella, Richardson 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 10.

Where ZIP 68442 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 10

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 Stella, 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 Stella, 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 10median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season167 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 15 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Auburn 5 Ese, NE — 9 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 68442

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 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 24) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 68442 came on Mar 11 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26).

average
Mar 262026
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 Stella, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68442 is Judson — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Judson silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes.

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 68442; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stella, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights135nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,766base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 02 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 18 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation34.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall23 inper year; 38 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Auburn 5 Ese, NE (9 mi away); precipitation: Shubert 2sw, NE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Brownville, NE · 12 mi

684336a

Salem, NE · 13 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68442

What planting zone is ZIP code 68442?

ZIP code 68442 (Stella, 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 Stella, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68442 is April 24; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Auburn 5 Ese station.

When is the first frost in Stella, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68442 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 167 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68442?

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 68442 get?

About 34.4 inches of precipitation a year and 23 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shubert 2sw station).

How hot do summers get in Stella, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68442 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Judson at the center of ZIP 68442: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Stella, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68442 came on Mar 11 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Stella, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68442 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68442 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68442 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.