Frost dates for 69168Venango, NE
The average last spring frost in Venango is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 6, giving a typical growing season of about 152 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 6
- Growing season
- 152 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 192 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 5 · May 16 · May 29 | Sep 14 · Sep 28 · Oct 8 | 134 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 23 · May 7 · May 18 | Sep 23 · Oct 6 · Oct 17 | 152 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 27 · May 9 | Oct 2 · Oct 15 · Oct 26 | 170 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Venango
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 26 – Oct 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69168 is matched to the NOAA station Julesburg, CO, 31 km away, at 3,477 ft elevation (73 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julesburg, CO (used) | 3,477 ft | May 7 | Oct 6 |
| Big Springs, NE | 3,379 ft | May 10 | Oct 3 |
| Madrid, NE | 3,200 ft | May 4 | Oct 7 |
| Holyoke, CO | 3,780 ft | May 11 | Oct 3 |
Frost dates near Venango
- Amherst, CO 80721 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Grant, NE 69140 · last May 4, first Oct 7
- Julesburg, CO 80737 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Big Springs, NE 69122 · last May 10, first Oct 3
- Brule, NE 69127 · last May 10, first Oct 3
- Holyoke, CO 80734 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Ovid, CO 80744 · last May 7, first Oct 6
- Madrid, NE 69150 · last May 4, first Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Venango, NE?
- For ZIP code 69168, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Julesburg, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Venango, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 6. 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 69168?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 152 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.