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

Planting zone for 69348 — Hemingford, NE

ZIP code 69348 (Hemingford, Box Butte 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 5.

Where ZIP 69348 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 5
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 Hemingford, 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 Hemingford, 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 24only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 5median — 10% chance by Sep 23
Growing season149 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 28 and returns around October 15.

From the NOAA station Hemingford, NE — 7 miles away, elevation 4,272 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 69348

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 10 – Aug 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 21 – Oct 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Oct 5) 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 69348 came on Mar 2 — 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3).

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 Hemingford, NE.

Soil in Hemingford, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69348 is Alliance — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.1neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Alliance loam, 3 to 6 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 69348; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hemingford, NE

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July
Winter low16 °Faverage low, January
Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights160nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,625base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 17 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 05 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation18 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall45 inper year; 65 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 38 °F, low 16 °F 38°16° JanFebruary: average high 39 °F, low 18 °F 39°18° FebMarch: average high 49 °F, low 26 °F 49°26° MarApril: average high 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° AprMay: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 53 °F 79°53° JunJuly: average high 87 °F, low 59 °F 87°59° JulAugust: average high 85 °F, low 58 °F 85°58° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 49 °F 76°49° SepOctober: average high 61 °F, low 36 °F 61°36° OctNovember: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° NovDecember: average high 38 °F, low 17 °F 38°17° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″January: 0.31 in precipitation, 5.3 in snowfall 0.3❄5 JanFebruary: 0.54 in precipitation, 7.6 in snowfall 0.5❄8 FebMarch: 0.96 in precipitation, 6.1 in snowfall 1.0❄6 MarApril: 2.14 in precipitation, 7.2 in snowfall 2.1❄7 AprMay: 3.00 in precipitation, 1.6 in snowfall 3.0❄2 MayJune: 2.94 in precipitation 2.9 JunJuly: 2.61 in precipitation 2.6 JulAugust: 1.83 in precipitation 1.8 AugSeptember: 1.48 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 1.5❄1 SepOctober: 1.22 in precipitation, 2.9 in snowfall 1.2❄3 OctNovember: 0.51 in precipitation, 5.6 in snowfall 0.5❄6 NovDecember: 0.47 in precipitation, 8.5 in snowfall 0.5❄9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hemingford, NE (7 mi away); precipitation: Hemingford, NE (7 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.

693545a
Marsland, NE · 10 mi
693395a
Crawford, NE · 21 mi
693015a
Alliance, NE · 22 mi
693615a
Scottsbluff, NE · 24 mi
693315b
Angora, NE · 32 mi
693475a
Hay Springs, NE · 32 mi
693565a
Minatare, NE · 33 mi
693675a
Whitney, NE · 34 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69348

What planting zone is ZIP code 69348?

ZIP code 69348 (Hemingford, 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 Hemingford, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69348 is May 8; after May 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hemingford station.

When is the first frost in Hemingford, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69348 is October 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 149 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69348?

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 69348 get?

About 18 inches of precipitation a year and 45 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hemingford station).

How hot do summers get in Hemingford, NE?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69348 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alliance at the center of ZIP 69348: loam, well drained, pH about 7.1 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Hemingford, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69348 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 32 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hemingford, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69348 is 15 h 17 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).