Frost dates for 68310Beatrice, NE
The average last spring frost in Beatrice is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 172 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 172 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 173 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 13 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 154 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 172 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 9 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 192 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Beatrice
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68310 is matched to the NOAA station Beatrice 1N, NE, 3.3 km away, at 1,297 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice 1N, NE (used) | 1,297 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| Virginia, NE | 1,545 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
| Crete 4Ese, NE | 1,460 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 12 |
| Fairbury 5S, NE | 1,350 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Beatrice
- Pickrell, NE 68422 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Blue Springs, NE 68318 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Filley, NE 68357 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Wymore, NE 68466 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Virginia, NE 68458 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- De Witt, NE 68341 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Plymouth, NE 68424 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Diller, NE 68342 · last Apr 25, first Oct 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Beatrice, NE?
- For ZIP code 68310, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beatrice 1N, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Beatrice, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68310?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 172 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.