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

Planting zone for 69132 — Dickens, NE

ZIP code 69132 (Dickens, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost October 4.

Where ZIP 69132 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 frostMay 4

First frostOct 4

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 Dickens, 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 Dickens, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 4median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 4median — 10% chance by Sep 23

Growing season152 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 25 and returns around October 14.

From the NOAA station Wallace 2w, NE — 11 miles away, elevation 3,153 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 69132

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesTransplant · May 11 – May 25

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1

BeansSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 11 – May 25

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 9 – Aug 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 20 – Oct 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 4) and first fall frost (Oct 4) 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 69132 came on Mar 3 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29).

average
Mar 292026
Mar 3

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.

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 Dickens, NE.

Soil in Dickens, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69132 is Valent — loamy sand, excessively drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH7.2neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageExcessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Valent loamy sand, 0 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 69132; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dickens, NE

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low13 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,927base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 06 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 14 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation22 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: Wallace 2w, NE (11 mi away); precipitation: Wallace 7.8 Sse, NE (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

691695b

Wallace, NE · 9 mi

691705b

Wellfleet, NE · 14 mi

690325b

Hayes Center, NE · 17 mi

North Platte, NE · 21 mi

691655b

Sutherland, NE · 25 mi

691015b

North Platte, NE · 25 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69132

What planting zone is ZIP code 69132?

ZIP code 69132 (Dickens, 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 Dickens, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69132 is May 4; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wallace 2w station.

When is the first frost in Dickens, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69132 is October 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 152 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69132?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 9 – Mar 23 and set transplants outside around May 11 – May 25, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69132 get?

About 22 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Wallace 7.8 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Dickens, NE?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69132 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valent at the center of ZIP 69132: loamy sand, excessively drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Dickens, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69132 came on Mar 3 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dickens, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69132 is 15 h 06 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).