Frost dates for 69339Crawford, NE
The average last spring frost in Crawford is May 13 and the average first fall frost is September 30, 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
- Sep 30
- Growing season
- 138 days
Safer after Jun 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 15 (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 12 · May 29 · Jun 15 | Sep 6 · Sep 22 · Oct 3 | 115 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 13 · Jun 2 | Sep 15 · Sep 30 · Oct 13 | 138 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 16 · May 1 · May 14 | Sep 24 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 160 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Crawford
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 12 – Jul 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jul 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 29 – Jun 10 |
| 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) | May 31 – Jun 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 21 – Jun 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – Jun 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 29 – May 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 13 – Jun 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 21 – Jul 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69339 is matched to the NOAA station Ft Robinson, NE, 4.7 km away, at 3,812 ft elevation (46 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ft Robinson, NE (used) | 3,812 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Chadron Muni Ap, NE | 3,318 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| Chadron 3Sw, NE | 3,383 ft | May 15 | Sep 28 |
| Harrison 9Ne, NE | 4,029 ft | May 12 | Oct 2 |
Frost dates near Crawford
- Whitney, NE 69367 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Marsland, NE 69354 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Chadron, NE 69337 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Harrison, NE 69346 · last May 20, first Sep 21
- Hemingford, NE 69348 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Oelrichs, SD 57763 · last May 15, first Sep 30
- Hay Springs, NE 69347 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Van Tassell, WY 82242 · last May 20, first Sep 21
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Crawford, NE?
- For ZIP code 69339, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ft Robinson, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 2.
- When is the first frost in Crawford, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69339?
- 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.