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

Planting zone for 69358 — Morrill, NE

ZIP code 69358 (Morrill, Scotts Bluff County) is in USDA zone 5a: the coldest winter night averages −20 to −15 °F. The median last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 69358 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 11
First frostSep 29
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 Morrill, 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 Morrill, NE

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMay 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 26only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16
Growing season139 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Torrington Municipal Airport, WY — 9 miles away, elevation 4,206 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 69358

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 20
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 20 – May 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30
TomatoesTransplant · May 18 – Jun 1
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 25 – Jun 8
BeansSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 18 – Jun 1
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 11) 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 69358 came on Mar 2 — 29 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 Morrill, NE.

Soil in Morrill, NE

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 69358 is Otero — loamy very fine sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy very fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH7.9alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Otero loamy very fine sand, 0 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 69358; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Morrill, NE

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low15 °Faverage low, December
Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights172nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days2,727base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day15 h 15 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 06 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)
Precipitation14.4 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 42 °F, low 16 °F 42°16° JanFebruary: average high 44 °F, low 17 °F 44°17° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 25 °F 54°25° MarApril: average high 61 °F, low 32 °F 61°32° AprMay: average high 70 °F, low 42 °F 70°42° MayJune: average high 83 °F, low 52 °F 83°52° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 58 °F 90°58° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 56 °F 88°56° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 45 °F 79°45° SepOctober: average high 64 °F, low 33 °F 64°33° OctNovember: average high 51 °F, low 22 °F 51°22° NovDecember: average high 41 °F, low 15 °F 41°15° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″January: 0.21 in precipitation 0.2 JanFebruary: 0.29 in precipitation 0.3 FebMarch: 0.75 in precipitation 0.8 MarApril: 1.56 in precipitation 1.6 AprMay: 2.67 in precipitation 2.7 MayJune: 2.40 in precipitation 2.4 JunJuly: 1.78 in precipitation 1.8 JulAugust: 1.21 in precipitation 1.2 AugSeptember: 1.29 in precipitation 1.3 SepOctober: 1.29 in precipitation 1.3 OctNovember: 0.47 in precipitation 0.5 NovDecember: 0.48 in precipitation 0.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Torrington Municipal Airport, WY (9 mi away); precipitation: Scottsbluff 16.4 Wnw, NE (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 5a.

822405a
Torrington, WY · 10 mi
693575a
Mitchell, NE · 11 mi
822185a
Huntley, WY · 13 mi
693525a
Lyman, NE · 19 mi
822235a
Lingle, WY · 21 mi
693615a
Scottsbluff, NE · 21 mi
693635a
Scottsbluff, NE · 22 mi
822435a
Veteran, WY · 23 mi

Nebraska planting zones →

Questions about 69358

What planting zone is ZIP code 69358?

ZIP code 69358 (Morrill, 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 Morrill, NE?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 69358 is May 11; after May 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Torrington Municipal Airport station.

When is the first frost in Morrill, NE?

The median first fall frost near 69358 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 139 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 69358?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 16 – Mar 30 and set transplants outside around May 18 – Jun 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 69358 get?

About 14.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Scottsbluff 16.4 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Morrill, NE?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 69358 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Otero at the center of ZIP 69358: loamy very fine sand, well drained, pH about 7.9 (alkaline).

Did spring come early in Morrill, NE in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 69358 came on Mar 2 in 2026, 29 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Morrill, NE?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 69358 is 15 h 15 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).