Frost dates for 68142Omaha, NE
The average last spring frost in Omaha is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 17, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 17
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 174 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 16 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 23 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 12 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 199 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Omaha
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 7 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 30 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jun 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 23 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 7 – Nov 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68142 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Calhoun 4W, NE, 12.2 km away, at 1,310 ft elevation (83 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Calhoun 4W, NE (used) | 1,310 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 17 |
| Omaha #1, NE | 1,280 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 18 |
| Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE | 982 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 21 |
| Gretna 4Ne, NE | 1,240 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Omaha
- Omaha, NE 68122 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Bennington, NE 68007 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Boys Town, NE 68010 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Washington, NE 68068 · last Apr 15, first Oct 21
- Fort Calhoun, NE 68023 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
- Elkhorn, NE 68022 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Offutt Afb, NE 68113 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Kennard, NE 68034 · last Apr 19, first Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Omaha, NE?
- For ZIP code 68142, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Calhoun 4W, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Omaha, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 17. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68142?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.