Frost dates for 68460Waco, NE
The average last spring frost in Waco is April 22 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 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 178 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 14 | Sep 24 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 28 | 178 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 9 | 197 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waco
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 28 |
| 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 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 28 |
| 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 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68460 is matched to the NOAA station York, NE, 13 km away, at 1,610 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| York, NE (used) | 1,610 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 18 |
| York 3N, NE | 1,613 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Surprise, NE | 1,545 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 9 |
| Osceola, NE | 1,662 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Waco
- Utica, NE 68456 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- Gresham, NE 68367 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- York, NE 68467 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Benedict, NE 68316 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Beaver Crossing, NE 68313 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Goehner, NE 68364 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Mc Cool Junction, NE 68401 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Staplehurst, NE 68439 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waco, NE?
- For ZIP code 68460, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the York, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Waco, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68460?
- 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.