Frost dates for 68502Lincoln, NE
The average last spring frost in Lincoln is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 171 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 171 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 20 · May 2 · May 16 | Sep 21 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 153 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 171 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 189 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lincoln
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 23 |
| 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 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 23 |
| 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 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68502 is matched to the NOAA station Lincoln Muni Ap, NE, 8.2 km away, at 1,190 ft elevation (40 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Muni Ap, NE (used) | 1,190 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 13 |
| Lincoln 8 Ene, NE | 1,189 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 10 |
| Lincoln 11 Sw, NE | 1,372 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 14 |
| Raymond 2E, NE | 1,283 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Lincoln
- Lincoln, NE 68509 · last Apr 24, first Oct 13
- Walton, NE 68461 · last Apr 27, first Oct 10
- Denton, NE 68339 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Roca, NE 68430 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Martell, NE 68404 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Raymond, NE 68428 · last Apr 24, first Oct 13
- Sprague, NE 68438 · last Apr 22, first Oct 14
- Malcolm, NE 68402 · last Apr 24, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lincoln, NE?
- For ZIP code 68502, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lincoln Muni Ap, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Lincoln, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. 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 68502?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 171 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.