Frost dates for 68045Oakland, NE
The average last spring frost in Oakland is April 28 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 165 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 28
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 165 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 25 · May 7 · May 20 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 26 · Oct 12 · Oct 23 | 165 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 17 · Apr 30 | Oct 7 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oakland
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 28 – Jun 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – Jun 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – Jun 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68045 is matched to the NOAA station W Pt, NE, 20.5 km away, at 1,310 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Pt, NE (used) | 1,310 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 12 |
| Tekamah, NE | 1,140 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| Tekamah Muni Ap, NE | 1,028 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 8 |
| Little Sioux 2 Nw, IA | 1,025 ft | May 1 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Oakland
- Craig, NE 68019 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Uehling, NE 68063 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Lyons, NE 68038 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Tekamah, NE 68061 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- West Point, NE 68788 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
- Hooper, NE 68031 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Bancroft, NE 68004 · last May 1, first Oct 6
- Scribner, NE 68057 · last Apr 28, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oakland, NE?
- For ZIP code 68045, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Pt, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Oakland, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68045?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 165 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.