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

Planting zone for 69138 — Gothenburg, NE

ZIP code 69138 (Gothenburg, Dawson County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 9.

Where ZIP 69138 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 30
First frostOct 9
2012 zone5a

Was 5a 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 5b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg, 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 13only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 9median — 10% chance by Sep 27
Growing season162 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Gothenburg, NE — 4 miles away, elevation 2,602 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 69138

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 14 – Aug 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 25 – Oct 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 9) 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 69138 came on Mar 7 — 22 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).

Soil in Gothenburg, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69138 is Hord — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Hord silt 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 69138; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gothenburg, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days34days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights155nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,229base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 13 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

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 16 °F 39°16° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 19 °F 42°19° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 27 °F 54°27° MarApril: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 59 °F 83°59° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 63 °F 88°63° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 62 °F 85°62° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 52 °F 78°52° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 39 °F 65°39° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 26 °F 51°26° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 17 °F 40°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.64 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.10 in precipitation 1.1 MarApril: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 AprMay: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MayJune: 3.68 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.37 in precipitation 3.4 JulAugust: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 AugSeptember: 1.72 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 1.86 in precipitation 1.9 OctNovember: 0.72 in precipitation 0.7 NovDecember: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Gothenburg, NE (4 mi away); precipitation: Gothenburg, NE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

691715b
Willow Island, NE · 9 mi
691235b
Brady, NE · 11 mi
691305b
Cozad, NE · 13 mi
691515b
Maxwell, NE · 18 mi
688605a
Oconto, NE · 22 mi
690295b
Farnam, NE · 22 mi
690395b
Moorefield, NE · 23 mi
690285b
Eustis, NE · 26 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69138

What planting zone is ZIP code 69138?

ZIP code 69138 (Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69138 is April 30; after May 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gothenburg station.

When is the first frost in Gothenburg, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69138 is October 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 162 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69138?

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 69138 get?

About 24.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gothenburg station).

How hot do summers get in Gothenburg, NE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 34 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69138 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Hord at the center of ZIP 69138: silt loam, well drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Gothenburg, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69138 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 22 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gothenburg, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69138 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69138 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69138 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.