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

Planting zone for 68818 — Aurora, NE

ZIP code 68818 (Aurora, Hamilton County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost October 15.

Where ZIP 68818 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 21

First frostOct 15

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 Aurora, 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 Aurora, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 4only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 15median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 11 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Aurora, NE — 2 miles away, elevation 1,785 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 68818

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 31

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 5 – May 19

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 28 – May 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 20 – Sep 3

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 1 – Nov 5

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 15) 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 68818 came on Mar 10 — 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 10

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).

Soil in Aurora, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68818 is Hastings — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Hastings silty clay loam, 3 to 7 percent slopes, eroded.

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 68818; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aurora, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights143nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,417base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation30.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall27 inper year; 42 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: Aurora, NE (2 mi away); precipitation: Aurora, NE (2 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.

Henderson, NE · 12 mi

688545b

Marquette, NE · 13 mi

689446a

Harvard, NE · 14 mi

689756a

Saronville, NE · 14 mi

683195b

Bradshaw, NE · 15 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68818

What planting zone is ZIP code 68818?

ZIP code 68818 (Aurora, 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 Aurora, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68818 is April 21; after May 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aurora station.

When is the first frost in Aurora, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68818 is October 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68818?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 24 – Mar 10 and set transplants outside around Apr 28 – May 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68818 get?

About 30.4 inches of precipitation a year and 27 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aurora station).

How hot do summers get in Aurora, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68818 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hastings at the center of ZIP 68818: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Aurora, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68818 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 20 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Aurora, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68818 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).