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

Planting zone for 69211 — Cody, NE

ZIP code 69211 (Cody, Cherry County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 69211 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 frostMay 10
First frostSep 29
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 Cody, 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 Cody, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 10median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 14
Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 2 and returns around October 7.

From the NOAA station Kilgore 1ne, NE — 20 miles away, elevation 2,904 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 69211

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 19
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 19 – May 3
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesTransplant · May 17 – May 31
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 24 – Jun 7
BeansSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 17 – May 31
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 10) and first fall frost (Sep 29) 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 69211 came on Mar 9 — 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2).

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 Cody, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69211 is Simeon — sand, excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.9moderately acidic; 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: Simeon-Valentine complex, 0 to 9 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 69211; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cody, NE

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low11 °Faverage low, January
Hot days35days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights173nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,462base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 01 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation22.4 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 33 °F, low 11 °F 33°11° JanFebruary: average high 37 °F, low 13 °F 37°13° FebMarch: average high 47 °F, low 22 °F 47°22° MarApril: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 42 °F 67°42° MayJune: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 59 °F 85°59° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 56 °F 84°56° AugSeptember: average high 75 °F, low 46 °F 75°46° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° OctNovember: average high 46 °F, low 22 °F 46°22° NovDecember: average high 35 °F, low 14 °F 35°14° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 0.52 in precipitation 0.5 JanFebruary: 0.69 in precipitation 0.7 FebMarch: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 MarApril: 2.47 in precipitation 2.5 AprMay: 3.67 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 JunJuly: 2.70 in precipitation 2.7 JulAugust: 2.57 in precipitation 2.6 AugSeptember: 1.95 in precipitation 1.9 SepOctober: 1.40 in precipitation 1.4 OctNovember: 0.63 in precipitation 0.6 NovDecember: 0.62 in precipitation 0.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Kilgore 1ne, NE (20 mi away); precipitation: Cody 8.2 Ssw, NE (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

692185a
Merriman, NE · 16 mi
692195a
Nenzel, NE · 17 mi
692165a
Kilgore, NE · 18 mi
575745a
Tuthill, SD · 20 mi
575725a
Saint Francis, SD · 23 mi
692125a
Crookston, NE · 28 mi
575515a
Martin, SD · 32 mi
693435a
Gordon, NE · 32 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69211

What planting zone is ZIP code 69211?

ZIP code 69211 (Cody, 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 Cody, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69211 is May 10; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kilgore 1ne station.

When is the first frost in Cody, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69211 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69211?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 15 – Mar 29 and set transplants outside around May 17 – May 31, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69211 get?

About 22.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Cody 8.2 Ssw station).

How hot do summers get in Cody, NE?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 35 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69211 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Simeon at the center of ZIP 69211: sand, excessively drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cody, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69211 came on Mar 9 in 2026, 24 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 2), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cody, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69211 is 15 h 20 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).

Did the zone for 69211 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 69211 in zone 4b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 5a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.