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

Planting zone for 69131 — Dalton, NE

ZIP code 69131 (Dalton, Cheyenne County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost October 13.

Where ZIP 69131 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 28
First frostOct 13
2012 zone5b

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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Dalton, 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 Dalton, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 28median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 10only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 13median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season166 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Dalton, NE — 2 miles away, elevation 4,278 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 69131

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Apr 7
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesTransplant · May 5 – May 19
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 12 – May 26
BeansSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 5 – May 19
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 28) 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 69131 came on Mar 2 — 27 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 Dalton, NE.

Soil in Dalton, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69131 is Duroc — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.0neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Duroc loam, 0 to 1 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 69131; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dalton, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low20 °Faverage low, January
Hot days30days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,879base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 10 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 11 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation20.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall48 inper year; 35 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 20 °F 39°20° JanFebruary: average high 41 °F, low 20 °F 41°20° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 29 °F 51°29° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 46 °F 69°46° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 62 °F 87°62° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 60 °F 85°60° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 51 °F 76°51° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 38 °F 61°38° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 20 °F 40°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.46 in precipitation, 7.3 in snowfall 0.5❄7 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation, 8.8 in snowfall 0.6❄9 FebMarch: 1.14 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 1.1❄6 MarApril: 2.27 in precipitation, 6.4 in snowfall 2.3❄6 AprMay: 3.47 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.5❄2 MayJune: 2.97 in precipitation 3.0 JunJuly: 2.91 in precipitation 2.9 JulAugust: 1.97 in precipitation 2.0 AugSeptember: 1.85 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 1.9 SepOctober: 1.59 in precipitation, 3.1 in snowfall 1.6❄3 OctNovember: 0.69 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 0.7❄6 NovDecember: 0.57 in precipitation, 9 in snowfall 0.6❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Dalton, NE (2 mi away); precipitation: Dalton, NE (2 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.

691415b
Gurley, NE · 8 mi
691605b
Sidney, NE · 14 mi
691255a
Broadwater, NE · 14 mi
693365a
Bridgeport, NE · 17 mi
691625b
Sidney, NE · 20 mi
691565b
Potter, NE · 20 mi
691495b
Lodgepole, NE · 21 mi
691485a
Lisco, NE · 27 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69131

What planting zone is ZIP code 69131?

ZIP code 69131 (Dalton, 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 Dalton, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69131 is April 28; after May 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dalton station.

When is the first frost in Dalton, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69131 is October 13, giving a median frost-free growing season of 166 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69131?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 3 – Mar 17 and set transplants outside around May 5 – May 19, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69131 get?

About 20.5 inches of precipitation a year and 48 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dalton station).

How hot do summers get in Dalton, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 30 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69131 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Duroc at the center of ZIP 69131: loam, well drained, pH about 7.0 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dalton, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69131 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 27 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dalton, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69131 is 15 h 10 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).