Frost dates for 69043Stratton, NE
The average last spring frost in Stratton is April 29 and the average first fall frost is October 13, giving a typical growing season of about 166 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 29
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 13
- Growing season
- 166 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 184 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 27 · May 8 · May 21 | Sep 23 · Oct 5 · Oct 16 | 147 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 29 · May 12 | Oct 1 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 166 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Stratton
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 29 – Jun 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jun 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Jun 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Sep 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – Jun 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jul 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 3 – Nov 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69043 is matched to the NOAA station Trenton Dam 1N, NE, 13.8 km away, at 2,813 ft elevation (21 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton Dam 1N, NE (used) | 2,813 ft | Apr 29 | Oct 13 |
| Benkelman 1N, NE | 3,081 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 12 |
| Culbertson, NE | 2,581 ft | May 2 | Oct 9 |
| Atwood, KS | 2,893 ft | May 2 | Oct 8 |
Frost dates near Stratton
- Trenton, NE 69044 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Max, NE 69037 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Palisade, NE 69040 · last Apr 29, first Oct 13
- Benkelman, NE 69021 · last Apr 30, first Oct 12
- Culbertson, NE 69024 · last May 2, first Oct 9
- Wauneta, NE 69045 · last May 2, first Oct 11
- Ludell, KS 67744 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Mc Donald, KS 67745 · last May 4, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Stratton, NE?
- For ZIP code 69043, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Trenton Dam 1N, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Stratton, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 13. 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 69043?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 166 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.