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

Planting zone for 69128 — Bushnell, NE

ZIP code 69128 (Bushnell, Kimball County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost October 1.

Where ZIP 69128 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 10

First frostOct 1

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 Bushnell, 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 Bushnell, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 1median — 10% chance by Sep 17

Growing season142 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Pine Bluffs 1ese, WY — 9 miles away, elevation 5,059 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 69128

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7

BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 6 – Aug 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 17 – Oct 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Oct 1) 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 69128 came on Mar 2 — 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

average
Apr 22026
Mar 2

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 Bushnell, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69128 is Altvan — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Altvan fine sandy 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 69128; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bushnell, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights176nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,439base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 09 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation16.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pine Bluffs 1ese, WY (9 mi away); precipitation: Kimball 10.0 W, NE (3 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.

820825a

Pine Bluffs, WY · 10 mi

Carpenter, WY · 26 mi

807325a

Hereford, CO · 27 mi

693455a

Harrisburg, NE · 27 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69128

What planting zone is ZIP code 69128?

ZIP code 69128 (Bushnell, 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 Bushnell, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69128 is May 10; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pine Bluffs 1ese station.

When is the first frost in Bushnell, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69128 is October 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 142 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69128?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69128 get?

About 16.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kimball 10.0 W station).

How hot do summers get in Bushnell, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69128 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Altvan at the center of ZIP 69128: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bushnell, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69128 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 31 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bushnell, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69128 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).