Frost dates for 68421Peru, NE
The average last spring frost in Peru is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 167 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 167 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (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 1 · May 15 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 151 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 23 | 167 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · Apr 28 | Oct 6 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 186 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Peru
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 20 |
| 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 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 20 |
| 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 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68421 is matched to the NOAA station Auburn 5 Ese, NE, 11.9 km away, at 930 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn 5 Ese, NE (used) | 930 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 10 |
| Nebraska City 2Nw, NE | 1,055 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 19 |
| Tarkio, MO | 1,045 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 15 |
| Sidney 1Sse, IA | 1,140 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Peru
- Brownville, NE 68321 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Watson, MO 64496 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Julian, NE 68379 · last Apr 18, first Oct 19
- Auburn, NE 68305 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Nemaha, NE 68414 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Hamburg, IA 51640 · last Apr 19, first Oct 19
- Rock Port, MO 64482 · last Apr 24, first Oct 10
- Brock, NE 68320 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Peru, NE?
- For ZIP code 68421, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Auburn 5 Ese, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Peru, 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 68421?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 167 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.