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

Planting zone for 68780 — Stuart, NE

ZIP code 68780 (Stuart, 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 4.

Where ZIP 68780 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 4

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 Stuart, 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 Stuart, 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 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 22

Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 24 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Atkinson 3sw, NE — 10 miles away, elevation 2,129 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 68780

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 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 68780 came on Mar 18 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
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 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.

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 Stuart, NE.

Soil in Stuart, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68780 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, 3 to 9 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 68780; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Stuart, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July

Winter low10 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights152nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,827base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 03 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall33 inper year; 60 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: Atkinson 3sw, NE (10 mi away); precipitation: Atkinson 3sw, NE (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68780

What planting zone is ZIP code 68780?

ZIP code 68780 (Stuart, 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 Stuart, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68780 is May 4; after May 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atkinson 3sw station.

When is the first frost in Stuart, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68780 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68780?

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 68780 get?

About 24.9 inches of precipitation a year and 33 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Atkinson 3sw station).

How hot do summers get in Stuart, NE?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68780 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valentine at the center of ZIP 68780: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Stuart, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68780 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 Stuart, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68780 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).