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

Planting zone for 69356 — Minatare, NE

ZIP code 69356 (Minatare, Scotts Bluff County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost October 11.

Where ZIP 69356 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 5
First frostOct 11
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 Minatare, 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 Minatare, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 11median — 10% chance by Sep 28
Growing season156 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 23 and returns around October 19.

From the NOAA station Minatare Dam (Usbr), NE — 2 miles away, elevation 4,144 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 69356

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 14
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesTransplant · May 12 – May 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 19 – Jun 2
BeansSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 12 – May 26
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 (May 5) 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 69356 came on Mar 1 — 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30).

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 Minatare, NE.

Soil in Minatare, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69356 is Mitchell — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Mitchell silt loam, 1 to 3 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 69356; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Minatare, NE

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, January
Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights156nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,810base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 14 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 07 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation15.6 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 40 °F, low 15 °F 40°15° JanFebruary: average high 43 °F, low 17 °F 43°17° FebMarch: average high 52 °F, low 25 °F 52°25° MarApril: average high 60 °F, low 34 °F 60°34° AprMay: average high 69 °F, low 43 °F 69°43° MayJune: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 60 °F 88°60° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 58 °F 87°58° AugSeptember: average high 78 °F, low 48 °F 78°48° SepOctober: average high 63 °F, low 35 °F 63°35° OctNovember: average high 50 °F, low 25 °F 50°25° NovDecember: average high 40 °F, low 16 °F 40°16° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.30 in precipitation 0.3 JanFebruary: 0.34 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.98 in precipitation 1.0 MarApril: 1.88 in precipitation 1.9 AprMay: 2.74 in precipitation 2.7 MayJune: 2.58 in precipitation 2.6 JunJuly: 2.11 in precipitation 2.1 JulAugust: 1.33 in precipitation 1.3 AugSeptember: 1.37 in precipitation 1.4 SepOctober: 1.17 in precipitation 1.2 OctNovember: 0.44 in precipitation 0.4 NovDecember: 0.35 in precipitation 0.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Minatare Dam (Usbr), NE (2 mi away); precipitation: Minatare Dam (Usbr), NE (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

693555a
Melbeta, NE · 8 mi
693345a
Bayard, NE · 10 mi
693635a
Scottsbluff, NE · 11 mi
693415b
Gering, NE · 16 mi
693615a
Scottsbluff, NE · 16 mi
693575a
Mitchell, NE · 22 mi
693365a
Bridgeport, NE · 23 mi
693315b
Angora, NE · 24 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69356

What planting zone is ZIP code 69356?

ZIP code 69356 (Minatare, 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 Minatare, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69356 is May 5; after May 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minatare Dam (Usbr) station.

When is the first frost in Minatare, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69356 is October 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 156 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69356?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 10 – Mar 24 and set transplants outside around May 12 – May 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69356 get?

About 15.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minatare Dam (Usbr) station).

How hot do summers get in Minatare, NE?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 41 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69356 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mitchell at the center of ZIP 69356: silt loam, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Minatare, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69356 came on Mar 1 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Minatare, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69356 is 15 h 14 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).