Frost dates for 68180Omaha, NE
The average last spring frost in Omaha is April 18 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 185 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 18
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 185 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 165 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 18 · Apr 30 | Oct 6 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 185 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 21 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 204 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 18 – May 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 11 – Jun 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Jun 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Apr 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – Jun 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68180 is matched to the NOAA station Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE, 6.6 km away, at 982 ft elevation (74 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE (used) | 982 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 21 |
| Omaha #1, NE | 1,280 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 18 |
| Springfield 7E, NE | 1,065 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
| Gretna 4Ne, NE | 1,240 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Omaha
- Omaha, NE 68101 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Offutt Afb, NE 68113 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Carter Lake, IA 51510 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Council Bluffs, IA 51501 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Bellevue, NE 68147 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- La Vista, NE 68128 · last Apr 21, first Oct 18
- Papillion, NE 68046 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
- Crescent, IA 51526 · last Apr 18, first Oct 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Omaha, NE?
- For ZIP code 68180, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Omaha, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68180?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 185 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.