Frost dates for 68823Burwell, NE
The average last spring frost in Burwell is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 154 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 154 days
Safer after May 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 183 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 1 · May 13 · May 25 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 8 | 136 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 15 | Sep 24 · Oct 5 · Oct 16 | 154 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 24 · May 6 | Oct 1 · Oct 15 · Oct 27 | 172 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Burwell
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68823 is matched to the NOAA station Burwell, NE, 5 km away, at 2,176 ft elevation (157 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burwell, NE (used) | 2,176 ft | May 4 | Oct 5 |
| Ericson 8 Wnw, NE | 2,137 ft | May 6 | Oct 2 |
| Taylor, NE | 2,270 ft | May 3 | Oct 5 |
| Ord Evelyn Sharp Fld, NE | 2,069 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Burwell
- Elyria, NE 68837 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Ord, NE 68862 · last May 5, first Oct 3
- Sargent, NE 68874 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Comstock, NE 68828 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Taylor, NE 68879 · last May 3, first Oct 5
- Ericson, NE 68637 · last May 6, first Oct 2
- Arcadia, NE 68815 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Amelia, NE 68711 · last May 4, first Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Burwell, NE?
- For ZIP code 68823, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Burwell, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 15.
- When is the first frost in Burwell, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68823?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 154 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.