Frost dates for 69218Merriman, NE
The average last spring frost in Merriman is May 13 and the average first fall frost is October 1, giving a typical growing season of about 138 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 1
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after May 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 198 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 11 · May 23 · Jun 6 | Sep 7 · Sep 21 · Oct 4 | 119 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 2 · May 13 · May 27 | Sep 17 · Oct 1 · Oct 14 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 20 · May 3 · May 17 | Sep 26 · Oct 10 · Oct 25 | 159 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Merriman
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 12 – Jun 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jun 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 5 – Jun 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 1 – Jun 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 22 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 22 – Jul 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 21 – Oct 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69218 is matched to the NOAA station Merriman, NE, 31.1 km away, at 3,235 ft elevation (292 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merriman, NE (used) | 3,235 ft | May 13 | Oct 1 |
| Gordon 6N, NE | 3,748 ft | May 11 | Oct 2 |
| Mullen 21 Nw, NE | 3,460 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
| Ellsworth 15 Nne, NE | 3,970 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Merriman
- Gordon, NE 69343 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Cody, NE 69211 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Tuthill, SD 57574 · last May 11, first Oct 1
- Rushville, NE 69360 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Martin, SD 57551 · last May 13, first Oct 2
- Nenzel, NE 69219 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Batesland, SD 57716 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Kilgore, NE 69216 · last May 10, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Merriman, NE?
- For ZIP code 69218, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Merriman, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 27.
- When is the first frost in Merriman, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 17, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69218?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 138 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.