Frost dates for 68982Wilcox, NE
The average last spring frost in Wilcox is April 24 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 174 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 24
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 174 days
Safer after May 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (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 20 · May 3 · May 15 | Sep 26 · Oct 9 · Oct 20 | 156 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Oct 1 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 196 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wilcox
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 24 – May 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Jun 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Apr 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 24 – Jun 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 68982 is matched to the NOAA station Ragan, NE, 13.4 km away, at 2,240 ft elevation (42 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ragan, NE (used) | 2,240 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Holdrege, NE | 2,320 ft | May 2 | Oct 11 |
| Minden, NE | 2,160 ft | Apr 26 | Oct 12 |
| Harlan Co Lake, NE | 2,010 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
Frost dates near Wilcox
- Hildreth, NE 68947 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Ragan, NE 68969 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
- Funk, NE 68940 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Axtell, NE 68924 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Holdrege, NE 68949 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Upland, NE 68981 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Minden, NE 68959 · last Apr 26, first Oct 12
- Atlanta, NE 68923 · last May 2, first Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wilcox, NE?
- For ZIP code 68982, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ragan, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 7.
- When is the first frost in Wilcox, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 68982?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 174 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.