Frost dates for 68343Dorchester, NE
The average last spring frost in Dorchester is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (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 19 · May 3 · May 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 23 · May 6 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 3 · Oct 22 · Nov 5 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dorchester
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 22 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 22 |
| 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 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68343 is matched to the NOAA station Crete 4Ese, NE, 20.2 km away, at 1,460 ft elevation (26 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crete 4Ese, NE (used) | 1,460 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 12 |
| Friend 3E, NE | 1,535 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Lincoln 11 Sw, NE | 1,372 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| Seward, NE | 1,445 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Dorchester
- Crete, NE 68333 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Milford, NE 68405 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Friend, NE 68359 · last Apr 26, first Oct 13
- Cordova, NE 68330 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Wilber, NE 68465 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Beaver Crossing, NE 68313 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Pleasant Dale, NE 68423 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Goehner, NE 68364 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dorchester, NE?
- For ZIP code 68343, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Crete 4Ese, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Dorchester, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68343?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.