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

Planting zone for 68641 — Howells, NE

ZIP code 68641 (Howells, Colfax County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 68641 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 25
First frostOct 11
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Howells, 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 Howells, 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 8only 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 21.

From the NOAA station Howells, NE — within 1 mile, elevation 1,519 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 68641

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 68641 came on Mar 18 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

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.

Trees 31

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbitternut hickory75 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −47 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack oak80 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −30 °F

Shrubs 55

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 190

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 130

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Howells, NE.

Soil in Howells, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68641 is Nora — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Nora-Crofton complex, 6 to 11 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 68641; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Howells, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, January
Hot days22days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,335base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 13 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 08 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation28.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall24 inper year; 42 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 33 °F, low 13 °F 33°13° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 27 °F 51°27° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 50 °F 73°50° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 17 °F 37°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.47 in precipitation, 5.2 in snowfall 0.5❄5 JanFebruary: 0.74 in precipitation, 6.5 in snowfall 0.7❄7 FebMarch: 1.46 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 1.5❄3 MarApril: 3.10 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 3.1❄2 AprMay: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 3.09 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.64 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 SepOctober: 2.22 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 2.2❄1 OctNovember: 1.04 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 1.0❄2 NovDecember: 0.84 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 0.8❄4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Howells, NE (within 1 mile); precipitation: Howells, NE (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

686295b
Clarkson, NE · 6 mi
686335b
Dodge, NE · 6 mi
686645b
Snyder, NE · 12 mi
686435b
Leigh, NE · 13 mi
686595b
Rogers, NE · 14 mi
687165b
Beemer, NE · 17 mi
686615b
Schuyler, NE · 17 mi
686315b
Creston, NE · 18 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68641

What planting zone is ZIP code 68641?

ZIP code 68641 (Howells, 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 Howells, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68641 is April 25; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howells station.

When is the first frost in Howells, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68641 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 168 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68641?

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 68641 get?

About 28.8 inches of precipitation a year and 24 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Howells station).

How hot do summers get in Howells, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 22 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68641 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nora at the center of ZIP 68641: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Howells, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68641 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Howells, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68641 is 15 h 13 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68641 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68641 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.