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

Planting zone for 68822 — Broken Bow, NE

ZIP code 68822 (Broken Bow, Custer County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 68822 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 frostMay 10
First frostOct 1
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 Broken Bow, 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 Broken Bow, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 18
Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 9.

From the NOAA station Broken Bow 2 W, NE — 2 miles away, elevation 2,503 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 68822

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
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 10) 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 68822 came on Mar 10 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

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 Broken Bow, NE.

Soil in Broken Bow, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68822 is Gates — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Gates very fine sandy loam, 17 to 30 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 68822; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Broken Bow, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low12 °Faverage low, January
Hot days24days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights177nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,745base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation25.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 37 °F, low 12 °F 37°12° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 14 °F 40°14° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 23 °F 51°23° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 32 °F 60°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JunJuly: average high 86 °F, low 60 °F 86°60° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 58 °F 84°58° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 48 °F 77°48° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 22 °F 50°22° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 13 °F 39°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 JanFebruary: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.76 in precipitation 1.8 MarApril: 2.81 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.36 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 AugSeptember: 2.27 in precipitation 2.3 SepOctober: 1.91 in precipitation 1.9 OctNovember: 0.94 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.73 in precipitation 0.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Broken Bow 2 W, NE (2 mi away); precipitation: Broken Bow 0.7 N, NE (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

688565a
Merna, NE · 12 mi
688145b
Ansley, NE · 13 mi
688815b
Westerville, NE · 14 mi
688255b
Callaway, NE · 19 mi
688605a
Oconto, NE · 20 mi
688745a
Sargent, NE · 20 mi
688555b
Mason City, NE · 22 mi
688135a
Anselmo, NE · 24 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68822

What planting zone is ZIP code 68822?

ZIP code 68822 (Broken Bow, 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 Broken Bow, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68822 is May 10; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Broken Bow 2 W station.

When is the first frost in Broken Bow, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68822 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68822?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68822 get?

About 25.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Broken Bow 0.7 N station).

How hot do summers get in Broken Bow, NE?

The average high peaks at 86 °F in July, with about 24 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 68822 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Gates at the center of ZIP 68822: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Broken Bow, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68822 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Broken Bow, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68822 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 68822 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 68822 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.