Frost dates for 68902Hastings, NE
The average last spring frost in Hastings is April 22 and the average first fall frost is October 16, giving a typical growing season of about 176 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 22
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 16
- Growing season
- 176 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 177 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 19 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 25 · Oct 7 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Oct 2 · Oct 16 · Oct 28 | 176 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 26 | Oct 10 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hastings
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 22 – May 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 8 – Jun 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 8 – Jun 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jun 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Jun 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Apr 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – Jun 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jul 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 6 – Nov 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68902 is matched to the NOAA station Hastings Muni Ap, NE, 3 km away, at 1,940 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings Muni Ap, NE (used) | 1,940 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
| Hastings 4N, NE | 1,938 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Clay Ctr, NE | 1,788 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 20 |
| Grand Island Ap, NE | 1,840 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 15 |
Frost dates near Hastings
- Hastings, NE 68901 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Juniata, NE 68955 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Trumbull, NE 68980 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Inland, NE 68954 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Glenvil, NE 68941 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Ayr, NE 68925 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Roseland, NE 68973 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Doniphan, NE 68832 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hastings, NE?
- For ZIP code 68902, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hastings Muni Ap, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Hastings, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68902?
- 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.