Frost dates for 68040Malmo, NE
The average last spring frost in Malmo is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 23 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 14 · Apr 25 | Oct 9 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 193 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Malmo
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68040 is matched to the NOAA station Weston 3Nw, NE, 9.4 km away, at 1,365 ft elevation (42 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weston 3Nw, NE (used) | 1,365 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
| Wahoo, NE | 1,220 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Fremont, NE | 1,180 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Mead 6S, NE | 1,155 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Malmo
- Prague, NE 68050 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Colon, NE 68018 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Wahoo, NE 68066 · last Apr 25, first Oct 13
- Weston, NE 68070 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Morse Bluff, NE 68648 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Cedar Bluffs, NE 68015 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- North Bend, NE 68649 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Abie, NE 68001 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Malmo, NE?
- For ZIP code 68040, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Weston 3Nw, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Malmo, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68040?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.