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

Planting zone for 68653 — Platte Center, NE

ZIP code 68653 (Platte Center, Platte County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 68653 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 21
First frostOct 15
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 Platte Center, 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 Platte Center, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Sep 30
Growing season174 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 24.

From the NOAA station Columbus 3 Ne, NE — 11 miles away, elevation 1,450 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 68653

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12
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 21) 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 68653 came on Mar 18 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

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 Platte Center, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68653 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 68653; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Platte Center, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights141nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,433base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 11 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 10 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation29.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 32 °F, low 14 °F 32°14° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 18 °F 37°18° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 28 °F 50°28° MarApril: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 51 °F 73°51° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 41 °F 63°41° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 28 °F 48°28° NovDecember: average high 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 0.59 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 1.69 in precipitation 1.7 MarApril: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 AprMay: 4.34 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 5.50 in precipitation 5.5 JunJuly: 3.17 in precipitation 3.2 JulAugust: 3.52 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 SepOctober: 2.31 in precipitation 2.3 OctNovember: 1.29 in precipitation 1.3 NovDecember: 0.92 in precipitation 0.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Columbus 3 Ne, NE (11 mi away); precipitation: Humphrey 5.7 Ssw, NE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

686475b
Monroe, NE · 8 mi
686425b
Humphrey, NE · 9 mi
686015b
Columbus, NE · 9 mi
686025b
Columbus, NE · 11 mi
686315b
Creston, NE · 11 mi
686345b
Duncan, NE · 12 mi
686445b
Lindsay, NE · 13 mi
686435b
Leigh, NE · 16 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68653

What planting zone is ZIP code 68653?

ZIP code 68653 (Platte Center, 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 Platte Center, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68653 is April 21; after May 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbus 3 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Platte Center, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68653 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 174 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68653?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68653 get?

About 29.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Humphrey 5.7 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Platte Center, 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 68653 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Nora at the center of ZIP 68653: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Platte Center, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68653 came on Mar 18 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Platte Center, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68653 is 15 h 11 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68653 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68653 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.