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

Planting zone for 68816 — Archer, NE

ZIP code 68816 (Archer, Merrick County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 68816 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 28
First frostOct 10
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Archer, 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 Archer, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 17 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Central City, NE — 7 miles away, elevation 1,700 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 68816

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 28) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 68816 came on Mar 12 — 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

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.

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 190

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 130

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 Archer, NE.

Soil in Archer, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68816 is Leshara — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Leshara silt loam, occasionally flooded.

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 68816; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Archer, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days33days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights134nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,216base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation28.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall29 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 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 27 °F 52°27° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 63 °F 86°63° JulAugust: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 27 °F 50°27° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 17 °F 38°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.77 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 0.8❄6 JanFebruary: 0.81 in precipitation, 7.1 in snowfall 0.8❄7 FebMarch: 1.47 in precipitation, 4.7 in snowfall 1.5❄5 MarApril: 2.75 in precipitation, 1.7 in snowfall 2.8❄2 AprMay: 4.73 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 4.7 MayJune: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.51 in precipitation 3.5 AugSeptember: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 SepOctober: 2.34 in precipitation, 1.2 in snowfall 2.3❄1 OctNovember: 1.34 in precipitation, 2.3 in snowfall 1.3❄2 NovDecember: 1.01 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 1.0❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Central City, NE (7 mi away); precipitation: Central City, NE (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

688265b
Central City, NE · 6 mi
688645b
Palmer, NE · 8 mi
688275b
Chapman, NE · 9 mi
688725b
Saint Libory, NE · 12 mi
688545b
Marquette, NE · 13 mi
688465b
Hordville, NE · 15 mi
686285b
Clarks, NE · 15 mi
686385b
Fullerton, NE · 15 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68816

What planting zone is ZIP code 68816?

ZIP code 68816 (Archer, 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 Archer, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68816 is April 28; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Central City station.

When is the first frost in Archer, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68816 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68816?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68816 get?

About 28.5 inches of precipitation a year and 29 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Central City station).

How hot do summers get in Archer, NE?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 33 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68816 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Leshara at the center of ZIP 68816: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Archer, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68816 came on Mar 12 in 2026, 17 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Archer, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68816 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).