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

Planting zone for 68527 — Lincoln, NE

ZIP code 68527 (Lincoln, Lancaster County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 68527 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.

Zone5b−15 to −10 °F

Coldest night−26.1 to −23.3 °C

Last frostApr 27

First frostOct 10

2012 zone5b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lincoln, 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 Lincoln, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 27median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 25

Growing season164 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Lincoln 8 Ene, 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 68527

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Apr 6

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesTransplant · May 4 – May 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 11 – May 25

BeansSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 4 – May 18

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 27) 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 68527 came on Mar 10 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 28).

average
Mar 282026
Mar 10

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 5b in Nebraska

420 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nebraska, and rated by the USDA to survive −15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5b. 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 Lincoln, NE.

Soil in Lincoln, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68527 is Aksarben — silty clay loam, well drained.

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

pH5.7moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Aksarben silty clay loam, 6 to 11 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 68527; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lincoln, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights146nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,429base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation31.3 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: Lincoln 8 Ene, NE (3 mi away); precipitation: Lincoln 8.5 Ene, NE (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

All 27 ZIP codes in Lincoln → · Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68527

What planting zone is ZIP code 68527?

ZIP code 68527 (Lincoln, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 5b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −15 to −10 °F (−26.1 to −23.3 °C).

When is the last frost in Lincoln, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68527 is April 27; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lincoln 8 Ene station.

When is the first frost in Lincoln, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68527 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 164 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68527?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 2 – Mar 16 and set transplants outside around May 4 – May 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68527 get?

About 31.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lincoln 8.5 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Lincoln, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68527 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Aksarben at the center of ZIP 68527: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.7 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Lincoln, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68527 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 Lincoln, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68527 is 15 h 07 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).