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

Planting zone for 69151 — Maxwell, NE

ZIP code 69151 (Maxwell, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost October 10.

Where ZIP 69151 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 2

First frostOct 10

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 Maxwell, 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 Maxwell, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMay 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostOctober 10median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season161 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Brady, NE — 8 miles away, elevation 2,651 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 69151

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesTransplant · May 9 – May 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 16 – May 30

BeansSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 9 – May 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 15 – Aug 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 26 – Oct 31

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 2) and first fall frost (Oct 10) 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 69151 came on Mar 7 — 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

average
Mar 302026
Mar 7

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 Maxwell, NE.

Soil in Maxwell, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69151 is Lawet — loam, poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter4.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lawet silt loam, occasionally flooded.

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 69151; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Maxwell, NE

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low14 °Faverage low, January

Hot days36days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights157nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,217base 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)

Precipitation22.2 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: Brady, NE (8 mi away); precipitation: Brady, NE (8 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.

691235b

Brady, NE · 7 mi

691035b

North Platte, NE · 13 mi

691015b

North Platte, NE · 17 mi

691385b

Gothenburg, NE · 18 mi

691705b

Wellfleet, NE · 24 mi

691715b

Willow Island, NE · 26 mi

691205a

Arnold, NE · 27 mi

690395b

Moorefield, NE · 27 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69151

What planting zone is ZIP code 69151?

ZIP code 69151 (Maxwell, 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 Maxwell, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69151 is May 2; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brady station.

When is the first frost in Maxwell, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69151 is October 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 161 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69151?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 7 – Mar 21 and set transplants outside around May 9 – May 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69151 get?

About 22.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brady station).

How hot do summers get in Maxwell, NE?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 36 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69151 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lawet at the center of ZIP 69151: loam, poorly drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Maxwell, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69151 came on Mar 7 in 2026, 23 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Maxwell, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69151 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69151 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69151 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.