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

Planting zone for 68733 — Emerson, NE

ZIP code 68733 (Emerson, Dakota County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 68733 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 5
First frostOct 1
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 Emerson, 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 Emerson, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 17
Growing season148 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Wakefield, NE — 7 miles away, elevation 1,408 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 68733

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 5) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 68733 came on Mar 23 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6).

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 Emerson, NE.

Soil in Emerson, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68733 is Moody — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.6neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3.25%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Moody silty clay loam, 2 to 6 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 68733; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Emerson, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low10 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,020base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 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)
Precipitation29.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall31 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 32 °F, low 10 °F 32°10° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° FebMarch: average high 50 °F, low 24 °F 50°24° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 34 °F 63°34° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 46 °F 73°46° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 57 °F 83°57° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 61 °F 86°61° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 59 °F 84°59° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 50 °F 78°50° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 24 °F 48°24° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.59 in precipitation, 6.7 in snowfall 0.6❄7 JanFebruary: 0.79 in precipitation, 8 in snowfall 0.8❄8 FebMarch: 1.61 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 1.6❄5 MarApril: 3.17 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.2❄2 AprMay: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 JulAugust: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 AugSeptember: 3.05 in precipitation 3.0 SepOctober: 2.37 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 2.4 OctNovember: 1.31 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 1.3❄3 NovDecember: 0.94 in precipitation, 6 in snowfall 0.9❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Wakefield, NE (7 mi away); precipitation: Emerson, NE (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

680625a
Thurston, NE · 6 mi
687415a
Hubbard, NE · 9 mi
687845a
Wakefield, NE · 9 mi
687855a
Waterbury, NE · 10 mi
680475a
Pender, NE · 12 mi
687285a
Concord, NE · 13 mi
680715a
Winnebago, NE · 13 mi
687105a
Allen, NE · 13 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68733

What planting zone is ZIP code 68733?

ZIP code 68733 (Emerson, 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 Emerson, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68733 is May 5; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wakefield station.

When is the first frost in Emerson, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68733 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 148 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68733?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68733 get?

About 29.6 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Emerson station).

How hot do summers get in Emerson, NE?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 27 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68733 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Moody at the center of ZIP 68733: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Emerson, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68733 came on Mar 23 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Emerson, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68733 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).