Frost dates for 68622Bartlett, NE
The average last spring frost in Bartlett is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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) | May 1 · May 15 · May 29 | Sep 14 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 20 | Sep 21 · Oct 8 · Oct 22 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 1 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 174 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bartlett
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 | Apr 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68622 is matched to the NOAA station Bartlett 1W, NE, 1.9 km away, at 2,175 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartlett 1W, NE (used) | 2,175 ft | May 4 | Oct 8 |
| Ericson 8 Wnw, NE | 2,137 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Greeley, NE | 2,020 ft | May 5 | Oct 2 |
| Chambers, NE | 2,129 ft | May 1 | Oct 7 |
Frost dates near Bartlett
- Ericson, NE 68637 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Spalding, NE 68665 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Greeley, NE 68842 · last May 5, first Oct 2
- Primrose, NE 68655 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Ewing, NE 68735 · last May 7, first Sep 30
- Chambers, NE 68725 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Petersburg, NE 68652 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- Elgin, NE 68636 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bartlett, NE?
- For ZIP code 68622, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bartlett 1W, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 20.
- When is the first frost in Bartlett, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68622?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.