Frost dates for 68942Guide Rock, NE
The average last spring frost in Guide Rock is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 5, giving a typical growing season of about 157 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 5
- Growing season
- 157 days
Safer after May 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 28 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 15 · Sep 29 · Oct 10 | 140 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 22 · Oct 5 · Oct 19 | 157 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 22 · May 5 | Sep 29 · Oct 16 · Oct 27 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Guide Rock
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 26 – Jun 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 26 – Jul 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 25 – Oct 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68942 is matched to the NOAA station Red Cloud, NE, 15.5 km away, at 1,732 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Cloud, NE (used) | 1,732 ft | May 1 | Oct 5 |
| Burr Oak 1N, KS | 1,651 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 8 |
| Superior, NE | 1,512 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 10 |
| Lovewell Dam, KS | 1,602 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Guide Rock
- Red Cloud, NE 68970 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Burr Oak, KS 66936 · last Apr 30, first Oct 8
- Superior, NE 68978 · last Apr 29, first Oct 10
- Lawrence, NE 68957 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Nelson, NE 68961 · last Apr 29, first Oct 10
- Blue Hill, NE 68930 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Inavale, NE 68952 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Webber, KS 66970 · last Apr 20, first Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Guide Rock, NE?
- For ZIP code 68942, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Red Cloud, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 14.
- When is the first frost in Guide Rock, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68942?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 157 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.