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

Planting zone for 68720 — Brunswick, NE

ZIP code 68720 (Brunswick, Antelope County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 6.

Where ZIP 68720 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 30

First frostOct 6

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 Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 6median — 10% chance by Sep 24

Growing season158 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 16.

From the NOAA station Creighton, NE — 10 miles away, elevation 1,660 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 68720

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28

BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 11 – Aug 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 22 – Oct 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 6) 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 68720 came on Mar 18 — 18 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 5).

average
Apr 52026
Mar 18

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 Brunswick, NE.

Soil in Brunswick, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68720 is Thurman — loamy fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Thurman loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 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 68720; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Brunswick, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low11 °Faverage low, January

Hot days32days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights150nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,045base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 04 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation29.2 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall49 inper year; 66 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: Creighton, NE (10 mi away); precipitation: Royal 2se, NE (4 mi away). 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.

687735a

Royal, NE · 5 mi

687695b

Plainview, NE · 10 mi

687295a

Creighton, NE · 11 mi

Winnetoon, NE · 13 mi

687265a

Clearwater, NE · 15 mi

687245a

Center, NE · 21 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68720

What planting zone is ZIP code 68720?

ZIP code 68720 (Brunswick, 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 Brunswick, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68720 is April 30; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Creighton station.

When is the first frost in Brunswick, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68720 is October 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 158 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68720?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68720 get?

About 29.2 inches of precipitation a year and 49 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Royal 2se station).

How hot do summers get in Brunswick, NE?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 32 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68720 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Thurman at the center of ZIP 68720: loamy fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Brunswick, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68720 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 Brunswick, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68720 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68720 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68720 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.