Frost dates for 69357Mitchell, NE
The average last spring frost in Mitchell is May 7 and the average first fall frost is October 2, giving a typical growing season of about 147 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 2
- Growing season
- 147 days
Safer after May 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 185 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 5 · May 18 · May 31 | Sep 8 · Sep 24 · Oct 6 | 127 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 26 · May 7 · May 21 | Sep 18 · Oct 2 · Oct 15 | 147 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 14 · Apr 28 · May 11 | Sep 27 · Oct 10 · Oct 24 | 168 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mitchell
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 6 – Jun 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jun 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 6 – Jul 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 30 – Jun 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 23 – Jun 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Jun 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – May 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 7 – Jun 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 22 – Oct 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 69357 is matched to the NOAA station Mitchell 5E, NE, 7.9 km away, at 4,080 ft elevation (68 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell 5E, NE (used) | 4,080 ft | May 7 | Oct 2 |
| Scottsbluff 1E, NE | 3,909 ft | May 8 | Oct 3 |
| Scottsbluff Heilig Ap, NE | 3,945 ft | May 5 | Oct 4 |
| Minatare Dam (Usbr), NE | 4,144 ft | May 5 | Oct 11 |
Frost dates near Mitchell
- Morrill, NE 69358 · last May 7, first Oct 2
- Scottsbluff, NE 69361 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Gering, NE 69341 · last May 8, first Oct 3
- Lyman, NE 69352 · last May 7, first Oct 2
- Minatare, NE 69356 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Huntley, WY 82218 · last May 11, first Sep 29
- Melbeta, NE 69355 · last May 5, first Oct 4
- Torrington, WY 82240 · last May 11, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mitchell, NE?
- For ZIP code 69357, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mitchell 5E, NE weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 21.
- When is the first frost in Mitchell, 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 69357?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 147 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.