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

Planting zone for 69036 — Lebanon, NE

ZIP code 69036 (Lebanon, Red Willow County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 69036 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.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 11

2012 zone5b

Was 5b 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 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lebanon, 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 Lebanon, 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 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 27

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 19 and returns around October 20.

From the NOAA station Oberlin, KS — 18 miles away, elevation 2,585 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 69036

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 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 69036 came on Feb 27 — 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24).

average
Mar 242026
Feb 27

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 Lebanon, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69036 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 silt loam, 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 69036; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lebanon, NE

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low16 °Faverage low, January

Hot days55days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,471base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 01 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 19 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall26 inper year; 31 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: Oberlin, KS (18 mi away); precipitation: Wilsonville, NE (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Wilsonville, NE · 11 mi

690345b

Indianola, NE · 17 mi

677496a

Oberlin, KS · 19 mi

690225b

Cambridge, NE · 22 mi

690016a

Mc Cook, NE · 25 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69036

What planting zone is ZIP code 69036?

ZIP code 69036 (Lebanon, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Lebanon, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69036 is April 30; after May 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Oberlin station.

When is the first frost in Lebanon, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69036 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69036?

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 69036 get?

About 24.1 inches of precipitation a year and 26 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wilsonville station).

How hot do summers get in Lebanon, NE?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 55 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69036 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Coly at the center of ZIP 69036: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Lebanon, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69036 came on Feb 27 in 2026, 25 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lebanon, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69036 is 15 h 01 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69036 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69036 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.