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

Planting zone for 69345 — Harrisburg, NE

ZIP code 69345 (Harrisburg, Banner County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 24 and the first fall frost September 20.

Where ZIP 69345 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 24
First frostSep 20
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 Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsJune 12only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 20median — 10% chance by Sep 6
Growing season117 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around May 12 and returns around September 29.

From the NOAA station Harrisburg 12wnw, NE — 13 miles away, elevation 4,551 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 69345

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Apr 12 – May 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · May 3 – May 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · May 3 – May 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · May 3 – May 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesTransplant · May 31 – Jun 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Jun 7 – Jun 21
BeansSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 31 – Jun 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Jul 26 – Aug 9
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 6 – Oct 11
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 24) and first fall frost (Sep 20) 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 69345 came on Mar 1 — 30 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).

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.

Trees 31

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Fbitternut hickory75 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −47 °Fblack locust60 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −37 °Fblack oak80 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −30 °F

Shrubs 55

alderleaf mountain mahogany15 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −41 °FAmerican black currant3 ft · blooms early spring · to −46 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican plum24 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fantelope bitterbrush6 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °Fbig sagebrush4 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −43 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 184

alkali buttercup1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falpine sweetvetch2 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −62 °FAmerican licorice4 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 129

alkali cordgrass3 ft · blooms late summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Falkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbasin wildrye5 ft · blooms early spring · high shade tolerance · to −43 °Fbeaked spikerush3 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FBebb's sedge3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 7

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Friverbank grape45 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °Fsummer grape30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −23 °FVirginia creeper1 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −28 °F

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 Harrisburg, NE.

Soil in Harrisburg, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69345 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.

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 69345; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Harrisburg, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low13 °Faverage low, December
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights188nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,395base 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)
Precipitation16.5 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall47 inper year; 56 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

0°10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 41 °F, low 14 °F 41°14° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 15 °F 43°15° FebMarch: average high 53 °F, low 22 °F 53°22° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 29 °F 60°29° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 39 °F 69°39° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 48 °F 81°48° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 55 °F 88°55° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 53 °F 87°53° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 43 °F 78°43° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 30 °F 63°30° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 20 °F 51°20° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 13 °F 41°13° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.31 in precipitation, 5.5 in snowfall 0.3❄6 JanFebruary: 0.52 in precipitation, 8.2 in snowfall 0.5❄8 FebMarch: 1.02 in precipitation, 7.1 in snowfall 1.0❄7 MarApril: 1.80 in precipitation, 6 in snowfall 1.8❄6 AprMay: 2.71 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 2.7❄2 MayJune: 2.41 in precipitation 2.4 JunJuly: 1.89 in precipitation 1.9 JulAugust: 1.81 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 1.45 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 1.4❄1 SepOctober: 1.45 in precipitation, 4.2 in snowfall 1.4❄4 OctNovember: 0.66 in precipitation, 5 in snowfall 0.7❄5 NovDecember: 0.49 in precipitation, 8.4 in snowfall 0.5❄8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Harrisburg 12wnw, NE (13 mi away); precipitation: Harrisburg 12wnw, NE (13 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

693415b
Gering, NE · 10 mi
693555a
Melbeta, NE · 16 mi
693635a
Scottsbluff, NE · 19 mi
693525a
Lyman, NE · 20 mi
691455a
Kimball, NE · 24 mi
693565a
Minatare, NE · 24 mi
822175a
Hawk Springs, WY · 25 mi
693345a
Bayard, NE · 27 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69345

What planting zone is ZIP code 69345?

ZIP code 69345 (Harrisburg, 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 Harrisburg, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69345 is May 24; after June 12 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harrisburg 12wnw station.

When is the first frost in Harrisburg, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69345 is September 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 117 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69345?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 29 – Apr 12 and set transplants outside around May 31 – Jun 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69345 get?

About 16.5 inches of precipitation a year and 47 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Harrisburg 12wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Harrisburg, NE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69345 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Valent at the center of ZIP 69345: fine sand, excessively drained, pH about 7.2 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Harrisburg, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69345 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 30 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Harrisburg, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69345 is 15 h 12 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).