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

Planting zone for 68711 — Amelia, NE

ZIP code 68711 (Amelia, Holt County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 68711 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F
Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C
Last frostMay 4
First frostOct 2
2012 zone5a

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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Amelia, 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 Amelia, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 19only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 20
Growing season150 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 11.

From the NOAA station Swan Lake, NE — 2 miles away, elevation 2,330 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 68711

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23
TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 68711 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 5a in Nebraska

413 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nebraska, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 184

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 129

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 Amelia, NE.

Soil in Amelia, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68711 is Valentine — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 percent slopes, moist.

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 68711; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Amelia, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights166nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,675base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 16 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation26.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall38 inper year

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 34 °F, low 10 °F 34°10° JanFebruary: average high 38 °F, low 14 °F 38°14° FebMarch: average high 48 °F, low 23 °F 48°23° MarApril: average high 58 °F, low 33 °F 58°33° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 60 °F 86°60° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 48 °F 76°48° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 35 °F 63°35° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 23 °F 48°23° NovDecember: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.52 in precipitation, 5.7 in snowfall 0.5❄6 JanFebruary: 0.58 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 0.6❄7 FebMarch: 1.52 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 1.5❄8 MarApril: 3.14 in precipitation, 2.7 in snowfall 3.1❄3 AprMay: 3.93 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.9 MayJune: 4.17 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 3.38 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.32 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 SepOctober: 2.22 in precipitation, 2 in snowfall 2.2❄2 OctNovember: 0.80 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 0.8❄3 NovDecember: 0.66 in precipitation, 8.9 in snowfall 0.7❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Swan Lake, NE (2 mi away); precipitation: Burwell 20.4 Nne, NE (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

687255a
Chambers, NE · 13 mi
688235a
Burwell, NE · 18 mi
687345b
Emmet, NE · 20 mi
687135a
Atkinson, NE · 24 mi
687145a
Bassett, NE · 27 mi
687805a
Stuart, NE · 31 mi
688795a
Taylor, NE · 32 mi
687635b
Oneill, NE · 32 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68711

What planting zone is ZIP code 68711?

ZIP code 68711 (Amelia, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Amelia, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68711 is May 4; after May 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Swan Lake station.

When is the first frost in Amelia, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68711 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 150 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68711?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68711 get?

About 26.5 inches of precipitation a year and 38 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Burwell 20.4 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Amelia, NE?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68711 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valentine at the center of ZIP 68711: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Amelia, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68711 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 Amelia, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68711 is 15 h 16 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).