When Is the Last Frost in Nebraska?
The average last spring frost in Nebraska falls between April 19 and May 8 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 27. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | Apr 16 | May 6 | Oct 18 | 183 days |
| Lincoln | Apr 24 | May 7 | Oct 13 | 171 days |
| Bellevue | Apr 17 | May 1 | Oct 19 | 183 days |
| Grand Island | Apr 23 | May 6 | Oct 15 | 174 days |
| Kearney | Apr 30 | May 12 | Oct 10 | 162 days |
| Fremont | Apr 23 | May 6 | Oct 15 | 172 days |
| Norfolk | May 1 | May 16 | Oct 4 | 156 days |
| Papillion | Apr 17 | May 1 | Oct 19 | 183 days |
| Hastings | Apr 22 | May 5 | Oct 16 | 176 days |
| Columbus | Apr 21 | May 5 | Oct 15 | 174 days |
| North Platte | May 3 | May 15 | Oct 10 | 158 days |
| Scottsbluff | May 8 | May 21 | Oct 3 | 147 days |
| South Sioux City | Apr 29 | May 11 | Oct 7 | 161 days |
| Beatrice | Apr 24 | May 6 | Oct 15 | 172 days |
| Lexington | Apr 26 | May 7 | Oct 13 | 169 days |
| York | Apr 22 | May 5 | Oct 18 | 178 days |
| Alliance | May 11 | May 28 | Oct 3 | 144 days |
| Blair | Apr 22 | May 5 | Oct 17 | 177 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 184 Nebraska weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from April 15 at Valley NWS, NE to May 30 at Agate 3 E, NE. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Nebraska?
The average first fall frost in Nebraska arrives between October 2 and October 18 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 11. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Omaha has a 10% chance of frost before October 2, Lincoln has a 10% chance of frost before September 29 and Bellevue has a 10% chance of frost before October 4. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Nebraska?
Transplant tomatoes in Nebraska 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Omaha, May 1 – May 8 in Lincoln and Apr 24 – May 1 in Bellevue. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30 | after May 6 |
| Lincoln | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 7 |
| Bellevue | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 1 | after May 1 |
| Grand Island | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 6 |
| Kearney | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 14 | after May 12 |
| Fremont | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 7 | after May 6 |
| Norfolk | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 15 | after May 16 |
| Papillion | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 1 | after May 1 |
| Hastings | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 5 |
| Columbus | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 5 | after May 5 |
| North Platte | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 17 | after May 15 |
| Scottsbluff | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 22 | after May 21 |
| South Sioux City | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 13 | after May 11 |
| Beatrice | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 8 | after May 6 |
| Lexington | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 10 | after May 7 |
| York | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 5 |
| Alliance | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – May 25 | after May 28 |
| Blair | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 6 | after May 5 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Omaha and When?
Omaha's average last frost of April 16 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from March 5, broccoli and lettuce transplants from March 19, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after April 23.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Mar 19 – Apr 2direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Mar 26 – Apr 2direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – Apr 30transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Apr 23 – May 7direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Apr 23 – May 7direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Omaha (last frost Apr 16, NOAA station Omaha #1, NE, 6 miles from ZIP 68114). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Nebraska?
The frost-free growing season in Nebraska lasts about 147 to 179 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 165 days. Among the listed cities, Alliance has the shortest season at 144 days and Papillion the longest at 183.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Nebraska range from 103 days at Agate 3 E, NE to 187 days at Valley NWS, NE. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Nebraska?
Nebraska spans USDA hardiness zones 5a to 6a, with zone 5b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Nebraska planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Nebraska?
- The average last spring frost in Nebraska falls between April 19 and May 8 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of April 27. Among major cities it ranges from April 16 in Omaha to May 11 in Alliance.
- When is the last frost in Omaha, Nebraska?
- Omaha's average last spring frost is April 16, and by May 6 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages October 18, giving a 183-day growing season (NOAA station Omaha #1, NE).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Nebraska?
- Transplant tomatoes in Nebraska 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Apr 23 – Apr 30 in Omaha, May 1 – May 8 in Lincoln and Apr 24 – May 1 in Bellevue. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Nebraska?
- The average first fall frost in Nebraska arrives between October 2 and October 18 for most ZIP codes, with a median of October 11. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Nebraska?
- The frost-free growing season in Nebraska lasts about 147 to 179 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 165 days, from 144 days in Alliance to 183 days in Papillion.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.