Frost dates for 68818Aurora, NE
The average last spring frost in Aurora is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 15, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 15
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (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 18 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 24 · Oct 7 · Oct 18 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 21 · May 4 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 25 | Oct 10 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 195 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Aurora
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jun 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Sep 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jul 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68818 is matched to the NOAA station Aurora, NE, 2.1 km away, at 1,785 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora, NE (used) | 1,785 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 15 |
| Grand Island Ap, NE | 1,840 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
| Central City, NE | 1,700 ft | Apr 28 | Oct 10 |
| York 3N, NE | 1,613 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
Frost dates near Aurora
- Hampton, NE 68843 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Giltner, NE 68841 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Phillips, NE 68865 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Marquette, NE 68854 · last Apr 28, first Oct 10
- Henderson, NE 68371 · last Apr 21, first Oct 15
- Chapman, NE 68827 · last Apr 23, first Oct 15
- Bradshaw, NE 68319 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Harvard, NE 68944 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Aurora, NE?
- For ZIP code 68818, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Aurora, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 4.
- When is the first frost in Aurora, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68818?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 176 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.