Frost dates for 69201Valentine, NE
The average last spring frost in Valentine is May 6 and the average first fall frost is October 4, giving a typical growing season of about 149 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 6
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 4
- Growing season
- 149 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 191 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 4 · May 15 · May 27 | Sep 12 · Sep 26 · Oct 7 | 133 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 24 · May 6 · May 19 | Sep 22 · Oct 4 · Oct 16 | 149 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 12 · Apr 28 · May 12 | Sep 30 · Oct 13 · Oct 25 | 167 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Valentine
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 5 – Jun 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jul 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 22 – Jun 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jul 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 4 – Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – Jun 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 22 – May 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 6 – Jun 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 25 – Jul 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 24 – Oct 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69201 is matched to the NOAA station Valentine #1, NE, 9.6 km away, at 2,589 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine #1, NE (used) | 2,589 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Valentine Miller Fld, NE | 2,590 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Valentine Nwr, NE | 2,940 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 11 |
| Kilgore 1Ne, NE | 2,905 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Valentine
- Crookston, NE 69212 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Kilgore, NE 69216 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Sparks, NE 69220 · last May 12, first Sep 29
- Wood Lake, NE 69221 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Nenzel, NE 69219 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Saint Francis, SD 57572 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Rosebud, SD 57570 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Johnstown, NE 69214 · last May 2, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Valentine, NE?
- For ZIP code 69201, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Valentine #1, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Valentine, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69201?
- 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.