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

Planting zone for 69044 — Trenton, NE

ZIP code 69044 (Trenton, Hitchcock County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 69044 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 29

First frostOct 13

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 Trenton, 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 Trenton, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 29median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Oct 1

Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 16 and returns around October 22.

From the NOAA station Trenton Dam 1n, NE — 5 miles away, elevation 2,812 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 69044

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 8

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesTransplant · May 6 – May 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 13 – May 27

BeansSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 6 – May 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 18 – Sep 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 29 – Nov 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 13) 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 69044 came on Feb 24 — 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23).

average
Mar 232026
Feb 24

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 Trenton, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69044 is Keith — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.9neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.6%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Keith silt loam, 1 to 3 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 69044; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Trenton, NE

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low15 °Faverage low, January

Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights158nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,461base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 02 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)

Precipitation20.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall22 inper year; 29 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: Trenton Dam 1n, NE (5 mi away); precipitation: Trenton Dam 1n, NE (5 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.

690245b

Culbertson, NE · 11 mi

Mc Donald, KS · 28 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69044

What planting zone is ZIP code 69044?

ZIP code 69044 (Trenton, 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 Trenton, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69044 is April 29; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Trenton Dam 1n station.

When is the first frost in Trenton, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69044 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69044?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 4 – Mar 18 and set transplants outside around May 6 – May 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69044 get?

About 20.3 inches of precipitation a year and 22 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Trenton Dam 1n station).

How hot do summers get in Trenton, NE?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69044 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Keith at the center of ZIP 69044: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.9 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Trenton, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69044 came on Feb 24 in 2026, 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Trenton, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69044 is 15 h 02 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69044 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69044 in zone 5b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 6a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.