Frost dates for 69351Lakeside, NE
The average last spring frost in Lakeside 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 193 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 Lakeside
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 69351 is matched to the NOAA station Ellsworth 2W, NE, 10.5 km away, at 3,909 ft elevation (15 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 |
| Alliance Muni Ap, NE | 3,924 ft | May 22 | Sep 22 |
| Ellsworth 15 Nne, NE | 3,970 ft | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| Crescent Lake Nwr, NE | 3,818 ft | May 13 | Sep 29 |
Frost dates near Lakeside
- Ellsworth, NE 69340 · last May 14, first Oct 2
- Bingham, NE 69335 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Alliance, NE 69301 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Ashby, NE 69333 · last May 12, first Oct 1
- Angora, NE 69331 · last May 11, first Oct 3
- Hyannis, NE 69350 · last May 4, first Oct 8
- Hemingford, NE 69348 · last May 8, first Oct 5
- Lisco, NE 69148 · last May 13, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lakeside, NE?
- For ZIP code 69351, 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 Lakeside, 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 69351?
- 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.