Frost dates for 69149Lodgepole, NE
The average last spring frost in Lodgepole is May 9 and the average first fall frost is October 3, giving a typical growing season of about 145 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 3
- Growing season
- 145 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 194 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 8 · May 19 · May 31 | Sep 12 · Sep 25 · Oct 6 | 128 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 9 · May 21 | Sep 19 · Oct 3 · Oct 14 | 145 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 12 | Sep 29 · Oct 13 · Oct 24 | 165 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lodgepole
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 8 – Jun 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 25 – Jun 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jun 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 25 – Jun 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 8 – Jul 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 1 – Jun 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 24 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 3 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 24 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – Jun 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 8 – May 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 25 – May 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 16 – Jul 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 9 – Jun 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 24 – Jul 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 23 – Oct 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69149 is matched to the NOAA station Lodgepole, NE, 2.9 km away, at 3,832 ft elevation (43 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodgepole, NE (used) | 3,832 ft | May 9 | Oct 3 |
| Lodgepole No 2, NE | 3,876 ft | May 9 | Oct 4 |
| Lodgepole 8N, NE | 3,886 ft | May 14 | Sep 29 |
| Chappell, NE | 3,710 ft | May 8 | Oct 5 |
Frost dates near Lodgepole
- Chappell, NE 69129 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Sidney, NE 69162 · last May 15, first Sep 30
- Sedgwick, CO 80749 · last May 6, first Oct 7
- Gurley, NE 69141 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
- Ovid, CO 80744 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Crook, CO 80726 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Oshkosh, NE 69154 · last May 9, first Oct 2
- Dalton, NE 69131 · last Apr 28, first Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lodgepole, NE?
- For ZIP code 69149, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lodgepole, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Lodgepole, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69149?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 145 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.