Frost dates for 68751Maskell, NE
The average last spring frost in Maskell is May 3 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 153 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 153 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 188 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 30 · May 11 · May 25 | Sep 11 · Sep 25 · Oct 7 | 135 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 16 | Sep 20 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 153 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 9 | Sep 29 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 171 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Maskell
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 2 – Jun 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jul 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Jun 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – May 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 3 – Jun 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68751 is matched to the NOAA station Vermillion 2 Se, SD, 9.5 km away, at 1,137 ft elevation (169 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermillion 2 Se, SD (used) | 1,137 ft | May 3 | Oct 3 |
| Hartington, NE | 1,408 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 5 |
| Concord, NE | 1,444 ft | May 2 | Oct 4 |
| Yankton 2 E, SD | 1,180 ft | Apr 27 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Maskell
- Newcastle, NE 68757 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Vermillion, SD 57069 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Burbank, SD 57010 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Wynot, NE 68792 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
- Elk Point, SD 57025 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Ponca, NE 68770 · last May 3, first Oct 3
- Hartington, NE 68739 · last Apr 30, first Oct 5
- Gayville, SD 57031 · last Apr 27, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Maskell, NE?
- For ZIP code 68751, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vermillion 2 Se, SD weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Maskell, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68751?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 153 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.