Last Frost Date

Planting planner: Lincoln, Nebraska

Typical last spring frost April 24 (1 spring in 10 later than May 7). Typical first fall frost October 13 (1 fall in 10 earlier than September 29). Growing season about 171 days.

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Frost likely Frost possible Frost unlikely Frost is likely until April 10 and fades out by May 7. It is unlikely from then until September 29, and likely again after October 24. The dashed lines are the typical dates, April 24 and October 13.

January

Nothing to start this month.

February

  • February 6 to March 6: Broccoli and cabbage (start seeds indoors)
  • February 20 to March 20: Cauliflower (start seeds indoors)

March

  • March 6 to 27: Eggplant (start seeds indoors)
  • March 13 to 27: Peppers (start seeds indoors)
  • March 20 to April 3: Tomatoes (start seeds indoors)
  • March 27 to April 10: Peas, spinach, lettuce, radishes, onion sets, turnips (sow outdoors)
  • March 27 to April 10: Broccoli and cabbage (plant out)

April

  • April 10 to 24: Beets, carrots, potatoes, Swiss chard (plant outdoors)
  • April 10 to 24: Cauliflower (plant out)
  • April 24: Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash (sow outdoors)

May

  • May 8: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (plant out)
  • May 8: Melons, winter squash, pumpkins, lima beans (sow outdoors)
  • May 18 to June 1: Cabbage for fall (start seeds)

June

  • June 7 to 21: Broccoli for fall (start seeds)

July

  • July 17: Snap beans for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 21: Carrots for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 22: Cucumbers for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 26: Peas for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 27: Summer squash for fall (last date to sow)
  • July 31: Leaf lettuce and beets for fall (last date to sow)

August

  • August 10: Turnips and kohlrabi for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 20: Spinach for fall (last date to sow)
  • August 30: Radishes for fall (last date to sow)

September

  • September 29: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons, cucumbers (watch the forecast)

October

  • October 29 to November 5: Garlic (plant cloves)

November

Nothing to start this month.

December

Nothing to start this month.

Dates from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Lincoln Municipal Airport (station USW00014939), 5 miles from the center of Lincoln. Planting rules: Colorado State University Extension GardenNotes #720 (spring), Virginia Cooperative Extension 426-334 (fall crops), University of Minnesota Extension (garlic). Spring bulbs: plant when the soil has cooled to about 50 to 55°F, until a couple of weeks before the ground freezes (University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension). Full details: https://lastfrostdate.com/frost-dates/nebraska/lincoln/

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