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

Planting zone for 69166 — Thedford, NE

ZIP code 69166 (Thedford, Thomas County) is in USDA zone 5b: the coldest winter night averages −15 to −10 °F. The median last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost October 2.

Where ZIP 69166 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 9
First frostOct 2
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 Thedford, 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 Thedford, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 9median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 2median — 10% chance by Sep 19
Growing season143 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 1 and returns around October 10.

From the NOAA station Purdum, NE — 19 miles away, elevation 2,690 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 69166

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 18
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 11 – Apr 25
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
TomatoesTransplant · May 16 – May 30
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 23 – Jun 6
BeansSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 16 – May 30
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 7 – Aug 21
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 18 – Oct 23
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 9) and first fall frost (Oct 2) 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 69166 came on Mar 10 — 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31).

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 Thedford, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69166 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 69166; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Thedford, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights172nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,878base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation24.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 39 °F, low 11 °F 39°11° JanFebruary: average high 42 °F, low 14 °F 42°14° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 23 °F 52°23° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° AprMay: average high 71 °F, low 44 °F 71°44° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 55 °F 81°55° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 60 °F 88°60° JulAugust: average high 86 °F, low 58 °F 86°58° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 48 °F 78°48° SepOctober: average high 65 °F, low 34 °F 65°34° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 22 °F 51°22° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 13 °F 40°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.46 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.56 in precipitation 0.6 FebMarch: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 2.59 in precipitation 2.6 AprMay: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 JunJuly: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 JulAugust: 2.68 in precipitation 2.7 AugSeptember: 2.46 in precipitation 2.5 SepOctober: 1.79 in precipitation 1.8 OctNovember: 0.60 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Purdum, NE (19 mi away); precipitation: Thedford 23 N, NE (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

691615b
Seneca, NE · 12 mi
691425b
Halsey, NE · 18 mi
691355b
Elsmere, NE · 20 mi
691575a
Purdum, NE · 24 mi
691525b
Mullen, NE · 27 mi
691635b
Stapleton, NE · 32 mi
688335a
Dunning, NE · 33 mi
691675b
Tryon, NE · 36 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69166

What planting zone is ZIP code 69166?

ZIP code 69166 (Thedford, 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 Thedford, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69166 is May 9; after May 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Purdum station.

When is the first frost in Thedford, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69166 is October 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 143 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69166?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 14 – Mar 28 and set transplants outside around May 16 – May 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69166 get?

About 24.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Thedford 23 N station).

How hot do summers get in Thedford, NE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69166 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valentine at the center of ZIP 69166: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Thedford, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69166 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 21 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Thedford, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69166 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69166 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69166 in zone 5a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.