Frost dates for 68317Bennet, NE
The average last spring frost in Bennet is April 27 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 164 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 27
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 164 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 182 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 22 · May 4 · May 18 | Sep 15 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 148 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 27 · May 8 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 164 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 18 · May 3 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 184 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bennet
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 27 – Jun 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Jun 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68317 is matched to the NOAA station Lincoln 8 Ene, NE, 19.4 km away, at 1,189 ft elevation (91 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln 8 Ene, NE (used) | 1,189 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| Syracuse, NE | 1,100 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 11 |
| Lincoln Muni Ap, NE | 1,190 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 13 |
| Lincoln 11 Sw, NE | 1,372 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Bennet
- Lincoln, NE 68526 · last Apr 27, first Oct 10
- Panama, NE 68419 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Palmyra, NE 68418 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- Roca, NE 68430 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Hickman, NE 68372 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Walton, NE 68461 · last Apr 27, first Oct 10
- Douglas, NE 68344 · last Apr 25, first Oct 11
- Firth, NE 68358 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bennet, NE?
- For ZIP code 68317, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lincoln 8 Ene, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in Bennet, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68317?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 164 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.