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

Planting zone for 69029 — Farnam, NE

ZIP code 69029 (Farnam, Dawson 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 69029 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 Farnam, 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 Farnam, 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 — 10 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 69029

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 69029 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).

Soil in Farnam, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69029 is Uly — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.6neutral; 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: Uly and Coly silt loams, 6 to 11 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 69029; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Farnam, 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 15 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation24 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 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

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.29 in precipitation 1.3 MarApril: 2.83 in precipitation 2.8 AprMay: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.43 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 2.84 in precipitation 2.8 AugSeptember: 1.75 in precipitation 1.8 SepOctober: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 OctNovember: 0.88 in precipitation 0.9 NovDecember: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Eustis 2 Nw, NE (10 mi away); precipitation: Eustis 4.1 Wnw, NE (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

690395b
Moorefield, NE · 8 mi
690285b
Eustis, NE · 10 mi
690425b
Stockville, NE · 16 mi
691715b
Willow Island, NE · 17 mi
691305b
Cozad, NE · 21 mi
689375b
Elwood, NE · 21 mi
691385b
Gothenburg, NE · 22 mi
690225b
Cambridge, NE · 23 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69029

What planting zone is ZIP code 69029?

ZIP code 69029 (Farnam, 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 Farnam, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69029 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 Farnam, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69029 is October 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 165 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69029?

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 69029 get?

About 24 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Eustis 4.1 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Farnam, 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 69029 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Uly at the center of ZIP 69029: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.6 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Farnam, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69029 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 Farnam, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69029 is 15 h 05 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69029 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69029 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.