Alma, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Alma compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Alma falls between April 10 and May 7, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 68% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 152 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Island, NE, 119 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 10 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Alma, NE
Alma, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 14, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Alma, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Harlan Co Lake, NE weather station, 13 km away (elevation 2,011 ft (613 m)).
Frost dates near Alma
- Orleans Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Republican City Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Stamford May 4 · Oct 4
- Naponee Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Ragan Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Oxford May 1 · Oct 8
- Atlanta May 2 · Oct 11
- Bloomington Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Wilcox Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Hildreth Apr 24 · Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Alma, NE?
The median last spring frost in Alma, NE is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Alma, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Alma, NE?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Alma, NE?
Alma, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.