Frost dates for 68441Steinauer, NE
The average last spring frost in Steinauer is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 173 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 173 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 172 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 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 155 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 7 | Sep 29 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 173 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 7 · Oct 24 · Nov 5 | 194 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Steinauer
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68441 is matched to the NOAA station Pawnee City, NE, 13.5 km away, at 1,189 ft elevation (71 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawnee City, NE (used) | 1,189 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 15 |
| Table Rock 4N, NE | 1,130 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
| Tecumseh 1S, NE | 1,110 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 10 |
| Virginia, NE | 1,545 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Steinauer
- Elk Creek, NE 68348 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
- Burchard, NE 68323 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Table Rock, NE 68447 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Pawnee City, NE 68420 · last Apr 22, first Oct 15
- Lewiston, NE 68380 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Tecumseh, NE 68450 · last Apr 26, first Oct 10
- Crab Orchard, NE 68332 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Virginia, NE 68458 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Steinauer, NE?
- For ZIP code 68441, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pawnee City, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Steinauer, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68441?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 173 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.