Frost dates for 69024Culbertson, NE
The average last spring frost in Culbertson is May 2 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 158 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 2
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 158 days
Safer after May 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 187 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 10 · May 26 | Sep 19 · Oct 1 · Oct 12 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 19 · May 2 · May 13 | Sep 27 · Oct 9 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 8 · Apr 23 · May 5 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 29 | 177 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Culbertson
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 | Apr 1 – Jun 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jul 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Jun 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 18 – May 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 2 – Jun 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69024 is matched to the NOAA station Culbertson, NE, 1.9 km away, at 2,581 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culbertson, NE (used) | 2,581 ft | May 2 | Oct 9 |
| Trenton Dam 1N, NE | 2,813 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Mc Cook, NE | 2,602 ft | May 2 | Oct 9 |
| Red Willow Dam, NE | 2,561 ft | May 4 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Culbertson
- Trenton, NE 69044 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Mc Cook, NE 69001 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Palisade, NE 69040 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Stratton, NE 69043 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Indianola, NE 69034 · last May 1, first Oct 9
- Herndon, KS 67739 · last Apr 30, first Oct 11
- Hayes Center, NE 69032 · last May 3, first Oct 10
- Ludell, KS 67744 · last May 2, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Culbertson, NE?
- For ZIP code 69024, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Culbertson, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 13.
- When is the first frost in Culbertson, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69024?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 158 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.