Frost dates for 68967Oxford, NE
The average last spring frost in Oxford is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 8, giving a typical growing season of about 161 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 8
- Growing season
- 161 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 186 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 30 · May 9 · May 22 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 143 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 12 | Sep 26 · Oct 8 · Oct 21 | 161 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 22 · May 3 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 179 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oxford
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 18 |
| 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 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 18 |
| 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 8 – Jun 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 29 – Jun 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 28 – Oct 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68967 is matched to the NOAA station Oxford 6Nnw, NE, 8.3 km away, at 2,242 ft elevation (165 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford 6Nnw, NE (used) | 2,242 ft | May 1 | Oct 8 |
| Edison, NE | 2,120 ft | May 1 | Oct 7 |
| Beaver City, NE | 2,148 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| Ragan, NE | 2,240 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Oxford
- Edison, NE 68936 · last May 1, first Oct 7
- Stamford, NE 68977 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Atlanta, NE 68923 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Orleans, NE 68966 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
- Beaver City, NE 68926 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Arapahoe, NE 68922 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Loomis, NE 68958 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Alma, NE 68920 · last Apr 25, first Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oxford, NE?
- For ZIP code 68967, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oxford 6Nnw, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Oxford, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68967?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 161 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.