Frost dates for 68840Gibbon, NE
The average last spring frost in Gibbon is April 30 and the average first fall frost is October 10, giving a typical growing season of about 162 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 30
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 10
- Growing season
- 162 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 27 · May 8 · May 20 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 146 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 25 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 162 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 3 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 181 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gibbon
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 30 – Jun 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 31 – Jun 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Jun 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – May 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – Jun 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 31 – Jul 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 30 – Oct 31 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68840 is matched to the NOAA station Kearney 4 Ne, NE, 13.6 km away, at 2,130 ft elevation (63 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney 4 Ne, NE (used) | 2,130 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 10 |
| Minden, NE | 2,160 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Ravenna, NE | 2,046 ft | May 4 | Oct 3 |
| Hastings Muni Ap, NE | 1,940 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Gibbon
- Shelton, NE 68876 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Kearney, NE 68847 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Heartwell, NE 68945 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Kenesaw, NE 68956 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Wood River, NE 68883 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Minden, NE 68959 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Riverdale, NE 68870 · last Apr 30, first Oct 10
- Ravenna, NE 68869 · last May 4, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gibbon, NE?
- For ZIP code 68840, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kearney 4 Ne, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Gibbon, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 10. 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 68840?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 162 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.