Frost dates for 69216Kilgore, NE
The average last spring frost in Kilgore is May 10 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 141 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 10
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 141 days
Safer after May 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 14 (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 8 · May 21 · Jun 1 | Sep 4 · Sep 20 · Oct 2 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 29 · May 10 · May 23 | Sep 14 · Sep 29 · Oct 13 | 141 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 14 | Sep 22 · Oct 7 · Oct 21 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Kilgore
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 9 – Jun 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 26 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 9 – Jul 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 2 – Jun 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Jun 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 26 – May 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 10 – Jun 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69216 is matched to the NOAA station Kilgore 1Ne, NE, 5.3 km away, at 2,905 ft elevation (127 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilgore 1Ne, NE (used) | 2,905 ft | May 10 | Sep 29 |
| Harrington, SD | 2,980 ft | May 11 | Oct 1 |
| Valentine #1, NE | 2,589 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Valentine Miller Fld, NE | 2,590 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Kilgore
- Nenzel, NE 69219 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Crookston, NE 69212 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Saint Francis, SD 57572 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Cody, NE 69211 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Valentine, NE 69201 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Rosebud, SD 57570 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Parmelee, SD 57566 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Tuthill, SD 57574 · last May 11, first Oct 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Kilgore, NE?
- For ZIP code 69216, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Kilgore 1Ne, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 23.
- When is the first frost in Kilgore, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69216?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 141 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.