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

Planting zone for 69201 — Valentine, NE

ZIP code 69201 (Valentine, Cherry County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 69201 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.

Zone5a−20 to −15 °F

Coldest night−28.9 to −26.1 °C

Last frostApr 30

First frostOct 11

2012 zone4b

Was 4b 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 5a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Valentine, 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 Valentine, 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 12only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 26

Growing season163 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 20 and returns around October 21.

From the NOAA station Valentine Nwr, NE — 9 miles away, elevation 2,940 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 69201

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 16 – Aug 30

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 27 – Nov 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 30) and first fall frost (Oct 11) 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 69201 came on Mar 10 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

average
Apr 32026
Mar 10

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 5a in Nebraska

413 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Nebraska, and rated by the USDA to survive −20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 5a. 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 Valentine, NE.

Soil in Valentine, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69201 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 and hilly, 9 to 60 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 69201; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Valentine, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low17 °Faverage low, January

Hot days28days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights151nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,254base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 02 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation24.4 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: Valentine Nwr, NE (9 mi away); precipitation: Valentine 15.6 Ssw, NE (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

692215b

Wood Lake, NE · 16 mi

692195a

Nenzel, NE · 21 mi

692125a

Crookston, NE · 22 mi

Johnstown, NE · 31 mi

691615b

Seneca, NE · 38 mi

575725a

Saint Francis, SD · 39 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69201

What planting zone is ZIP code 69201?

ZIP code 69201 (Valentine, NE) is in USDA hardiness zone 5a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −20 to −15 °F (−28.9 to −26.1 °C).

When is the last frost in Valentine, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69201 is April 30; after May 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valentine Nwr station.

When is the first frost in Valentine, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69201 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 163 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69201?

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 69201 get?

About 24.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Valentine 15.6 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Valentine, NE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 28 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69201 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valentine at the center of ZIP 69201: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Valentine, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69201 came on Mar 10 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Valentine, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69201 is 15 h 19 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69201 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69201 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.