Frost dates for 69120Arnold, NE
The average last spring frost in Arnold is May 5 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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) | May 2 · May 14 · May 27 | Sep 13 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 132 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 5 · May 19 | Sep 21 · Oct 3 · Oct 15 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 13 · Apr 26 · May 8 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 26 | 169 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arnold
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 4 – Jun 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – Jun 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – May 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 5 – Jun 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69120 is matched to the NOAA station Arnold 4 Wnw, NE, 9.7 km away, at 2,877 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold 4 Wnw, NE (used) | 2,877 ft | May 5 | Oct 3 |
| Callaway 8Wsw, NE | 2,913 ft | May 3 | Oct 6 |
| Anselmo 2 Wsw, NE | 2,733 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Stapleton 5W, NE | 3,022 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Arnold
- Callaway, NE 68825 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Stapleton, NE 69163 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Merna, NE 68856 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Anselmo, NE 68813 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Dunning, NE 68833 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Broken Bow, NE 68822 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Oconto, NE 68860 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Brady, NE 69123 · last May 2, first Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arnold, NE?
- For ZIP code 69120, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Arnold 4 Wnw, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Arnold, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69120?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 149 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.