Frost dates for 68817Ashton, NE
The average last spring frost in Ashton is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 12 · May 24 | Sep 16 · Sep 30 · Oct 11 | 139 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 19 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 21 · May 5 | Oct 2 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 178 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ashton
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 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68817 is matched to the NOAA station Loup City, NE, 14 km away, at 2,070 ft elevation (19 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loup City, NE (used) | 2,070 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
| N Loup, NE | 1,961 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Ravenna, NE | 2,046 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Saint Paul, NE | 1,812 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Ashton
- Farwell, NE 68838 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Loup City, NE 68853 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Rockville, NE 68871 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- Elba, NE 68835 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
- Boelus, NE 68820 · last May 4, first Oct 3
- North Loup, NE 68859 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Scotia, NE 68875 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Dannebrog, NE 68831 · last Apr 23, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ashton, NE?
- For ZIP code 68817, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Loup City, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Ashton, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68817?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.