Frost dates for 68638Fullerton, NE
The average last spring frost in Fullerton is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 27 · May 10 · May 24 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 9 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 17 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 20 · May 4 | Sep 30 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Fullerton
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68638 is matched to the NOAA station Genoa 2 W, NE, 19.7 km away, at 1,590 ft elevation (54 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genoa 2 W, NE (used) | 1,590 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Central City, NE | 1,700 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| Albion, NE | 1,795 ft | May 1 | Oct 5 |
| Osceola, NE | 1,662 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Fullerton
- Belgrade, NE 68623 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Clarks, NE 68628 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Genoa, NE 68640 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Archer, NE 68816 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Saint Edward, NE 68660 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Silver Creek, NE 68663 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Cedar Rapids, NE 68627 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Central City, NE 68826 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Fullerton, NE?
- For ZIP code 68638, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Genoa 2 W, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Fullerton, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68638?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.