Frost dates for 68405Milford, NE
The average last spring frost in Milford is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 12, 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 12
- Growing season
- 169 days
Safer after May 7 (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 22 · May 4 · May 15 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 152 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 11 · Apr 26 · May 7 | Sep 28 · Oct 12 · Oct 24 | 169 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milford
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 22 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 22 |
| 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 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68405 is matched to the NOAA station Seward, NE, 15.4 km away, at 1,445 ft elevation (31 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seward, NE (used) | 1,445 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Friend 3E, NE | 1,535 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 13 |
| Lincoln 11 Sw, NE | 1,372 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| Crete 4Ese, NE | 1,460 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 12 |
Frost dates near Milford
- Pleasant Dale, NE 68423 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Dorchester, NE 68343 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Goehner, NE 68364 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Seward, NE 68434 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Lincoln, NE 68532 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Crete, NE 68333 · last Apr 23, first Oct 12
- Denton, NE 68339 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Beaver Crossing, NE 68313 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milford, NE?
- For ZIP code 68405, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Seward, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Milford, 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 68405?
- 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.