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

Planting zone for 69155 — Paxton, NE

ZIP code 69155 (Paxton, Keith County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 18.

Where ZIP 69155 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 22
First frostOct 18
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 Paxton, 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 Paxton, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 18median — 10% chance by Oct 2
Growing season176 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 26.

From the NOAA station Kingsley Dam, NE — 15 miles away, elevation 3,317 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 69155

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 23 – Sep 6
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 4 – Nov 8
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 18) 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 69155 came on Mar 6 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

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 Paxton, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69155 is Valentine — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.5neutral; 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: Valentine fine sand, rolling, 9 to 24 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 69155; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Paxton, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low18 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights146nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,020base 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)
Precipitation21.1 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 36 °F, low 18 °F 36°18° JanFebruary: average high 40 °F, low 19 °F 40°19° FebMarch: average high 51 °F, low 28 °F 51°28° MarApril: average high 59 °F, low 36 °F 59°36° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 47 °F 69°47° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 57 °F 81°57° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° AugSeptember: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° SepOctober: average high 62 °F, low 39 °F 62°39° OctNovember: average high 49 °F, low 28 °F 49°28° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 20 °F 38°20° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.36 in precipitation 0.4 JanFebruary: 0.66 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.01 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 2.29 in precipitation 2.3 AprMay: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 MayJune: 3.48 in precipitation 3.5 JunJuly: 3.06 in precipitation 3.1 JulAugust: 2.51 in precipitation 2.5 AugSeptember: 1.68 in precipitation 1.7 SepOctober: 1.58 in precipitation 1.6 OctNovember: 0.55 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.38 in precipitation 0.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kingsley Dam, NE (15 mi away); precipitation: Paxton 3.8 Ne, NE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5b.

691655b
Sutherland, NE · 12 mi
691445b
Keystone, NE · 16 mi
691535b
Ogallala, NE · 17 mi
691435b
Hershey, NE · 19 mi
691345b
Elsie, NE · 26 mi
691505b
Madrid, NE · 27 mi
691465b
Lemoyne, NE · 27 mi
691695b
Wallace, NE · 28 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69155

What planting zone is ZIP code 69155?

ZIP code 69155 (Paxton, 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 Paxton, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69155 is April 22; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingsley Dam station.

When is the first frost in Paxton, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69155 is October 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 176 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69155?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69155 get?

About 21.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Paxton 3.8 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Paxton, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69155 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valentine at the center of ZIP 69155: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Paxton, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69155 came on Mar 6 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Paxton, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69155 is 15 h 09 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69155 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69155 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.