Frost dates for 68436Shickley, NE
The average last spring frost in Shickley is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 178 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 170 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 11 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 160 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 2 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 11 · Apr 23 | Oct 11 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 198 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shickley
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68436 is matched to the NOAA station Geneva, NE, 17 km away, at 1,630 ft elevation (17 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva, NE (used) | 1,630 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 18 |
| Hebron, NE | 1,480 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
| Fairmont, NE | 1,640 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Clay Ctr, NE | 1,788 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Shickley
- Strang, NE 68444 · last Apr 20, first Oct 18
- Carleton, NE 68326 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Ong, NE 68452 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Davenport, NE 68335 · last Apr 20, first Oct 18
- Bruning, NE 68322 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Geneva, NE 68361 · last Apr 20, first Oct 18
- Belvidere, NE 68315 · last Apr 24, first Oct 15
- Edgar, NE 68935 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shickley, NE?
- For ZIP code 68436, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Geneva, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Shickley, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68436?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 178 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.