USDA hardiness zones in Nebraska
| Zone | Avg. extreme minimum | ZIP codes | Example cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5a | −20 to −15°F | 101 | South Sioux City, Alliance, Wayne |
| Zone 5b | −15 to −10°F | 281 | Grand Island, Kearney, Fremont, Norfolk |
| Zone 6a | −10 to −5°F | 183 | Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Papillion |
Growing zone and frost dates by city
| City | Zone | Frost dates |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Omaha frost dates |
| Lincoln | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Lincoln frost dates |
| Bellevue | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Bellevue frost dates |
| Grand Island | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Grand Island frost dates |
| Kearney | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Kearney frost dates |
| Fremont | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Fremont frost dates |
| Norfolk | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Norfolk frost dates |
| Columbus | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Columbus frost dates |
| Papillion | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Papillion frost dates |
| Hastings | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Hastings frost dates |
| North Platte | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | North Platte frost dates |
| La Vista | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | La Vista frost dates |
| Scottsbluff | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Scottsbluff frost dates |
| South Sioux City | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | South Sioux City frost dates |
| Beatrice | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Beatrice frost dates |
| Lexington | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Lexington frost dates |
| Gretna | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Gretna frost dates |
| Gering | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Gering frost dates |
| York | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | York frost dates |
| Blair | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Blair frost dates |
| Alliance | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Alliance frost dates |
| Seward | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Seward frost dates |
| Crete | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Crete frost dates |
| Nebraska City | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Nebraska City frost dates |
| McCook | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | McCook frost dates |
| Plattsmouth | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Plattsmouth frost dates |
| Schuyler | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Schuyler frost dates |
| Sidney | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Sidney frost dates |
| Ralston | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Ralston frost dates |
| Wayne | 5a (−20 to −15°F) | Wayne frost dates |
| Holdrege | 6a (−10 to −5°F) | Holdrege frost dates |
| Wahoo | 5b (−15 to −10°F) | Wahoo frost dates |
Frequently asked questions
What growing zone is Nebraska in?
Nebraska’s ZIP codes span USDA zones 5a to 6a, and 5b is the most common. Zones vary with elevation and distance from water, so check your own ZIP code.
When should I plant?
Hardiness zones are about winter cold, not planting dates. For timing, use the last spring frost date for your city on our Nebraska frost dates page.