Frost dates for 69347Hay Springs, NE
The average last spring frost in Hay Springs is May 15 and the average first fall frost is September 24, giving a typical growing season of about 131 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 15
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 24
- Growing season
- 131 days
Safer after May 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 200 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 14 · May 25 · Jun 6 | Sep 3 · Sep 15 · Sep 26 | 112 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 4 · May 15 · May 26 | Sep 11 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 131 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 24 · May 5 · May 15 | Sep 18 · Oct 4 · Oct 15 | 151 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hay Springs
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 14 – Jun 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 1 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jun 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jun 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 7 – Jun 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 25 – Jun 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – Jun 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Aug 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – May 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 7 – Jul 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 15 – Jun 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69347 is matched to the NOAA station Hay Springs 12 S, NE, 14.3 km away, at 3,805 ft elevation (35 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hay Springs 12 S, NE (used) | 3,805 ft | May 15 | Sep 24 |
| Hay Springs, NE | 3,855 ft | May 14 | Sep 30 |
| Rushville, NE | 3,790 ft | May 13 | Sep 30 |
| Chadron 3Sw, NE | 3,383 ft | May 15 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Hay Springs
- Rushville, NE 69360 · last May 13, first Sep 30
- Chadron, NE 69337 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Whiteclay, NE 69365 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Gordon, NE 69343 · last May 11, first Oct 2
- Hemingford, NE 69348 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Whitney, NE 69367 · last May 15, first Sep 28
- Pine Ridge, SD 57770 · last May 16, first Sep 27
- Marsland, NE 69354 · last May 8, first Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hay Springs, NE?
- For ZIP code 69347, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hay Springs 12 S, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 26.
- When is the first frost in Hay Springs, NE?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 69347?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 131 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.