Frost dates for 68359Friend, NE
The average last spring frost in Friend is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 169 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 181 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 23 · May 3 · May 14 | Sep 20 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 6 | Sep 28 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · Apr 29 | Oct 5 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Friend
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68359 is matched to the NOAA station Friend 3E, NE, 5 km away, at 1,535 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friend 3E, NE (used) | 1,535 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Fairmont, NE | 1,640 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Geneva, NE | 1,630 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 18 |
| Seward, NE | 1,445 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Friend
- Cordova, NE 68330 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Exeter, NE 68351 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Dorchester, NE 68343 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Beaver Crossing, NE 68313 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Milligan, NE 68406 · last Apr 20, first Oct 18
- Goehner, NE 68364 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Milford, NE 68405 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Tobias, NE 68453 · last Apr 20, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Friend, NE?
- For ZIP code 68359, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Friend 3E, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Friend, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. 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 68359?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 169 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.