Frost dates for 68821Brewster, NE
The average last spring frost in Brewster is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 150 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 150 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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) | May 3 · May 15 · May 28 | Sep 10 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 150 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 11 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Brewster
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68821 is matched to the NOAA station Elsmere 9 Ene, NE, 29.2 km away, at 2,654 ft elevation (164 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elsmere 9 Ene, NE (used) | 2,654 ft | May 6 | Oct 3 |
| Purdum, NE | 2,690 ft | May 9 | Oct 2 |
| Anselmo 2 Wsw, NE | 2,733 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Taylor, NE | 2,270 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Brewster
- Dunning, NE 68833 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Taylor, NE 68879 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Anselmo, NE 68813 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Purdum, NE 69157 · last May 9, first Oct 2
- Halsey, NE 69142 · last May 9, first Oct 2
- Elsmere, NE 69135 · last May 9, first Oct 2
- Sargent, NE 68874 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Merna, NE 68856 · last May 10, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Brewster, NE?
- For ZIP code 68821, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elsmere 9 Ene, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Brewster, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68821?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 150 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.