Frost dates for 68632David City, NE
The average last spring frost in David City is April 26 and the average first fall frost is October 11, giving a typical growing season of about 168 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 26
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 11
- Growing season
- 168 days
Safer after May 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 176 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 22 · May 5 · May 17 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 16 | 150 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 23 | 168 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 1 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for David City
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 26 – Jun 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 21 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jun 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Jun 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Sep 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – Jun 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jul 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 1 – Nov 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68632 is matched to the NOAA station David City, NE, 0.5 km away, at 1,610 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| David City, NE (used) | 1,610 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 11 |
| Surprise, NE | 1,545 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 9 |
| Columbus 3 Ne, NE | 1,450 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
| Weston 3Nw, NE | 1,365 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near David City
- Bruno, NE 68014 · last Apr 26, first Oct 11
- Brainard, NE 68626 · last Apr 26, first Oct 11
- Rising City, NE 68658 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- Bellwood, NE 68624 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Abie, NE 68001 · last Apr 23, first Oct 13
- Ulysses, NE 68669 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
- Dwight, NE 68635 · last Apr 26, first Oct 11
- Surprise, NE 68667 · last Apr 29, first Oct 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in David City, NE?
- For ZIP code 68632, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the David City, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 8.
- When is the first frost in David City, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68632?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 168 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.