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

Planting zone for 68874 — Sargent, NE

ZIP code 68874 (Sargent, Custer County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost October 5.

Where ZIP 68874 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 3
First frostOct 5
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 Sargent, 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 Sargent, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 3median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 15only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season153 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 22 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Taylor, NE — 10 miles away, elevation 2,270 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 68874

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 5 – Apr 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
TomatoesTransplant · May 10 – May 24
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 17 – May 31
BeansSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 10 – May 24
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 3) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 68874 came on Mar 10 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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 Sargent, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 68874 is Ovina — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ovina loam, 0 to 1 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 68874; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sargent, NE

Summer high86 °Faverage high, July
Winter low9 °Faverage low, January
Hot days27days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,714base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation26.8 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall30 inper year; 46 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 36 °F, low 9 °F 36°9° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 13 °F 39°13° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 22 °F 49°22° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 32 °F 59°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 44 °F 70°44° MayJune: average high 80 °F, low 55 °F 80°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 49 °F 77°49° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 34 °F 64°34° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 21 °F 49°21° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 12 °F 38°12° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.57 in precipitation, 5.8 in snowfall 0.6❄6 JanFebruary: 0.85 in precipitation, 7 in snowfall 0.8❄7 FebMarch: 1.53 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 1.5❄4 MarApril: 3.28 in precipitation, 3.3 in snowfall 3.3❄3 AprMay: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 3.07 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 3.19 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 2.18 in precipitation 2.2 SepOctober: 2.25 in precipitation, 1.1 in snowfall 2.3❄1 OctNovember: 1.03 in precipitation, 3.7 in snowfall 1.0❄4 NovDecember: 0.72 in precipitation, 4.9 in snowfall 0.7❄5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Taylor, NE (10 mi away); precipitation: Taylor, NE (10 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.

688285b
Comstock, NE · 11 mi
688815b
Westerville, NE · 14 mi
688795a
Taylor, NE · 19 mi
688375a
Elyria, NE · 19 mi
688225b
Broken Bow, NE · 20 mi
688155b
Arcadia, NE · 21 mi
688565a
Merna, NE · 21 mi
688135a
Anselmo, NE · 22 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 68874

What planting zone is ZIP code 68874?

ZIP code 68874 (Sargent, 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 Sargent, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 68874 is May 3; after May 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taylor station.

When is the first frost in Sargent, NE?

The median first fall frost near 68874 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 153 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 68874?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 8 – Mar 22 and set transplants outside around May 10 – May 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 68874 get?

About 26.8 inches of precipitation a year and 30 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taylor station).

How hot do summers get in Sargent, 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 68874 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ovina at the center of ZIP 68874: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Sargent, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 68874 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sargent, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 68874 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).