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

Planting zone for 69028 — Eustis, NE

ZIP code 69028 (Eustis, Frontier County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 12.

Where ZIP 69028 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 30
First frostOct 12
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 Eustis, 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 Eustis, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 30median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 12median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season165 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 18 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Eustis 2 Nw, NE — 4 miles away, elevation 2,733 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 69028

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 9
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19
TomatoesTransplant · May 7 – May 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 14 – May 28
BeansSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 7 – May 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 17 – Aug 31
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 28 – Nov 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 12) 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 69028 came on Mar 7 — 22 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 Eustis, NE.

Soil in Eustis, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69028 is Coly — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Coly and Uly silt loams, 11 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 69028; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Eustis, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low14 °Faverage low, January
Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,141base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 05 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 16 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation23.4 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall31 inper year; 48 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 37 °F, low 14 °F 37°14° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 26 °F 52°26° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 47 °F 71°47° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 58 °F 82°58° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 51 °F 78°51° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 38 °F 64°38° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 26 °F 50°26° NovDecember: average high 39 °F, low 17 °F 39°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.51 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 0.5❄5 JanFebruary: 0.84 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 0.8❄7 FebMarch: 1.27 in precipitation, 4.4 in snowfall 1.3❄4 MarApril: 2.50 in precipitation, 3.4 in snowfall 2.5❄3 AprMay: 3.58 in precipitation, 0.4 in snowfall 3.6 MayJune: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 JulAugust: 2.79 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 1.63 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 1.6 SepOctober: 1.81 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 1.8❄2 OctNovember: 0.90 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 0.9❄3 NovDecember: 0.71 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 0.7❄6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eustis 2 Nw, NE (4 mi away); precipitation: Eustis 2 Nw, NE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

690295b
Farnam, NE · 10 mi
689375b
Elwood, NE · 11 mi
691715b
Willow Island, NE · 18 mi
690395b
Moorefield, NE · 18 mi
691305b
Cozad, NE · 19 mi
690425b
Stockville, NE · 20 mi
689485b
Holbrook, NE · 20 mi
690225b
Cambridge, NE · 21 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69028

What planting zone is ZIP code 69028?

ZIP code 69028 (Eustis, 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 Eustis, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69028 is April 30; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eustis 2 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Eustis, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69028 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69028?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 5 – Mar 19 and set transplants outside around May 7 – May 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69028 get?

About 23.4 inches of precipitation a year and 31 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eustis 2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Eustis, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69028 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Coly at the center of ZIP 69028: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Eustis, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69028 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Eustis, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69028 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69028 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69028 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.