Frost dates for 68058South Bend, NE
The average last spring frost in South Bend is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 175 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 175 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 178 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 18 · May 1 · May 16 | Sep 22 · Oct 6 · Oct 19 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Sep 29 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 175 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 11 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for South Bend
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 26 |
| 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 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 26 |
| 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 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68058 is matched to the NOAA station Ashland #2, NE, 11.9 km away, at 1,118 ft elevation (88 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland #2, NE (used) | 1,118 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| Gretna 4Ne, NE | 1,240 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
| Weeping Water, NE | 1,100 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| Springfield 7E, NE | 1,065 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near South Bend
- Louisville, NE 68037 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Murdock, NE 68407 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Springfield, NE 68059 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Manley, NE 68403 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Cedar Creek, NE 68016 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Ashland, NE 68003 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
- Gretna, NE 68028 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Greenwood, NE 68366 · last Apr 23, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in South Bend, NE?
- For ZIP code 68058, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ashland #2, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in South Bend, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. 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 68058?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 175 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.