Frost dates for 69343Gordon, NE
The average last spring frost in Gordon is May 11 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 142 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 11
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 142 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 190 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 23 · Jun 3 | Sep 10 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 124 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 30 · May 11 · May 26 | Sep 19 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 142 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 17 · May 2 · May 17 | Sep 27 · Oct 11 · Oct 25 | 162 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gordon
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 10 – Jun 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 27 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 11 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 10 – Jul 11 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – Jun 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 11 – Jun 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69343 is matched to the NOAA station Gordon 6N, NE, 10 km away, at 3,748 ft elevation (198 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon 6N, NE (used) | 3,748 ft | May 11 | Oct 2 |
| Rushville, NE | 3,790 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Pine Ridge Ap, SD | 3,278 ft | May 16 | Sep 27 |
| Hay Springs, NE | 3,855 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
Frost dates near Gordon
- Rushville, NE 69360 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Batesland, SD 57716 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Whiteclay, NE 69365 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Wounded Knee, SD 57794 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Merriman, NE 69218 · last May 13, first Oct 1
- Hay Springs, NE 69347 · last May 15, first Sep 24
- Pine Ridge, SD 57770 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Porcupine, SD 57772 · last May 9, first Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gordon, NE?
- For ZIP code 69343, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gordon 6N, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Gordon, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69343?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 142 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.