Frost dates for 69340Ellsworth, NE
The average last spring frost in Ellsworth is May 14 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 140 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 140 days
Safer after May 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 199 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 23 · Jun 5 | Sep 10 · Sep 23 · Oct 4 | 121 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 3 · May 14 · May 28 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 13 | 140 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 22 · May 5 · May 16 | Sep 28 · Oct 11 · Oct 21 | 158 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ellsworth
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 13 – Jun 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 30 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – Jun 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 30 – May 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69340 is matched to the NOAA station Ellsworth 2W, NE, 3 km away, at 3,909 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth 2W, NE (used) | 3,909 ft | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| Ellsworth 15 Nne, NE | 3,970 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| Crescent Lake Nwr, NE | 3,818 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
| Alliance Muni Ap, NE | 3,924 ft | May 22 | Sep 22 |
Frost dates near Ellsworth
- Lakeside, NE 69351 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Bingham, NE 69335 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Ashby, NE 69333 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Hyannis, NE 69350 · last May 4, first Oct 8
- Alliance, NE 69301 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Whitman, NE 69366 · last May 4, first Oct 8
- Lisco, NE 69148 · last May 13, first Sep 29
- Angora, NE 69331 · last May 11, first Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ellsworth, NE?
- For ZIP code 69340, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ellsworth 2W, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 28.
- When is the first frost in Ellsworth, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69340?
- 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.