Frost dates for 69220Sparks, NE
The average last spring frost in Sparks is May 12 and the average first fall frost is September 29, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 12
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 29
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 16 (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 9 · May 22 · Jun 4 | Sep 7 · Sep 23 · Oct 3 | 122 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 12 · May 25 | Sep 16 · Sep 29 · Oct 12 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 15 | Sep 25 · Oct 8 · Oct 20 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sparks
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 11 – Jun 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 28 – Jun 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jun 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jul 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 28 – Jun 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 11 – Jul 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 4 – Jun 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 11 – Jun 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 28 – May 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 12 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jul 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 19 – Oct 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69220 is matched to the NOAA station Valentine Miller Fld, NE, 24.9 km away, at 2,590 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine Miller Fld, NE (used) | 2,590 ft | May 12 | Sep 29 |
| Valentine #1, NE | 2,589 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
| Mission 14 S, SD | 2,810 ft | May 11 | Oct 2 |
| Springview 2Nw, NE | 2,388 ft | May 10 | Oct 1 |
Frost dates near Sparks
- Valentine, NE 69201 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Wood Lake, NE 69221 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Springview, NE 68778 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Crookston, NE 69212 · last May 10, first Sep 29
- Johnstown, NE 69214 · last May 2, first Oct 8
- Mission, SD 57555 · last May 9, first Oct 1
- Okreek, SD 57563 · last May 10, first Oct 1
- Ainsworth, NE 69210 · last May 2, first Oct 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sparks, NE?
- For ZIP code 69220, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Valentine Miller Fld, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 25.
- When is the first frost in Sparks, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69220?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 140 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.