Frost dates for 68957Lawrence, NE
The average last spring frost in Lawrence is April 19 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 181 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 19
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 181 days
Safer after May 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 13 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 22 | 162 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 3 | Oct 3 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 181 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 203 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lawrence
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 19 – May 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 19 – Jun 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Jun 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Apr 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 19 – Jun 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68957 is matched to the NOAA station Clay Ctr, NE, 31.4 km away, at 1,788 ft elevation (75 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Ctr, NE (used) | 1,788 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 20 |
| Superior, NE | 1,512 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 10 |
| Red Cloud, NE | 1,732 ft | May 1 | Oct 5 |
| Hastings Muni Ap, NE | 1,940 ft | Apr 22 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Lawrence
- Deweese, NE 68934 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Blue Hill, NE 68930 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
- Nelson, NE 68961 · last Apr 29, first Oct 10
- Fairfield, NE 68938 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Guide Rock, NE 68942 · last May 1, first Oct 5
- Glenvil, NE 68941 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Edgar, NE 68935 · last Apr 19, first Oct 20
- Ayr, NE 68925 · last Apr 22, first Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lawrence, NE?
- For ZIP code 68957, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clay Ctr, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 3.
- When is the first frost in Lawrence, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68957?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 181 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.