Frost dates for 69165Sutherland, NE
The average last spring frost in Sutherland is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 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 12 · May 29 | Sep 15 · Sep 30 · Oct 12 | 138 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 21 · May 4 · May 16 | Sep 23 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 10 · Apr 24 · May 7 | Oct 4 · Oct 19 · Oct 30 | 175 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sutherland
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 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69165 is matched to the NOAA station Hershey 5 Sse, NE, 14.4 km away, at 2,952 ft elevation (10 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hershey 5 Sse, NE (used) | 2,952 ft | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| N Platte Exp Farm, NE | 3,025 ft | May 3 | Oct 10 |
| Wallace 2W, NE | 3,153 ft | May 4 | Oct 4 |
| North Platte Rgnl Ap, NE | 2,778 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Sutherland
- Hershey, NE 69143 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Paxton, NE 69155 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- North Platte, NE 69101 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Wallace, NE 69169 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Elsie, NE 69134 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Dickens, NE 69132 · last May 4, first Oct 4
- Keystone, NE 69144 · last Apr 22, first Oct 18
- Tryon, NE 69167 · last May 8, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sutherland, NE?
- For ZIP code 69165, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hershey 5 Sse, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 16.
- When is the first frost in Sutherland, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69165?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 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.