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

Planting zone for 69336 — Bridgeport, NE

ZIP code 69336 (Bridgeport, Morrill County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost October 3.

Where ZIP 69336 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 8
First frostOct 3
2012 zone5a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 3median — 10% chance by Sep 21
Growing season147 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 29 and returns around October 13.

From the NOAA station Bridgeport, NE — 4 miles away, elevation 3,665 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 69336

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27
TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5
BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 8 – Aug 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 19 – Oct 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 3) 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 69336 came on Mar 1 — 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27).

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 Bridgeport, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69336 is Valent — fine sand, excessively drained.

TextureFine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.2neutral; 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: Valent fine sand, rolling and hilly.

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 69336; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bridgeport, NE

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days57days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights164nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,062base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 12 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 09 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation18.6 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall39 inper year; 30 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 16 °F 41°16° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 18 °F 45°18° FebMarch: average high 56 °F, low 26 °F 56°26° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 33 °F 64°33° AprMay: average high 73 °F, low 44 °F 73°44° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 54 °F 85°54° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 60 °F 92°60° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 58 °F 89°58° AugSeptember: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 34 °F 66°34° OctNovember: average high 52 °F, low 24 °F 52°24° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 16 °F 41°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″January: 0.36 in precipitation, 6.2 in snowfall 0.4❄6 JanFebruary: 0.50 in precipitation, 8 in snowfall 0.5❄8 FebMarch: 0.91 in precipitation, 5.1 in snowfall 0.9❄5 MarApril: 2.17 in precipitation, 4.3 in snowfall 2.2❄4 AprMay: 3.31 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 3.3❄1 MayJune: 2.89 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.43 in precipitation 2.4 JulAugust: 2.06 in precipitation 2.1 AugSeptember: 1.70 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 1.7 SepOctober: 1.28 in precipitation, 1.5 in snowfall 1.3❄2 OctNovember: 0.57 in precipitation, 4.8 in snowfall 0.6❄5 NovDecember: 0.45 in precipitation, 7.8 in snowfall 0.5❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Bridgeport, NE (4 mi away); precipitation: Bridgeport, NE (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

693345a
Bayard, NE · 15 mi
691255a
Broadwater, NE · 16 mi
691315b
Dalton, NE · 17 mi
693315b
Angora, NE · 21 mi
693555a
Melbeta, NE · 21 mi
693565a
Minatare, NE · 23 mi
691415b
Gurley, NE · 25 mi
691565b
Potter, NE · 26 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69336

What planting zone is ZIP code 69336?

ZIP code 69336 (Bridgeport, 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 Bridgeport, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69336 is May 8; after May 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgeport station.

When is the first frost in Bridgeport, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69336 is October 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 147 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69336?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69336 get?

About 18.6 inches of precipitation a year and 39 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Bridgeport station).

How hot do summers get in Bridgeport, NE?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 57 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69336 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valent at the center of ZIP 69336: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bridgeport, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69336 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 26 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bridgeport, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69336 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).