Brainard, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season168 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Brainard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Brainard falls between April 12 and May 8, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 168-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 147 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lincoln, NE, 48 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Brainard, NE
Brainard, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 11, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Brainard, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 David City, NE weather station, 14 km away (elevation 1,611 ft (491 m)).
Frost dates near Brainard
- Bruno Apr 26 · Oct 11
- Dwight Apr 26 · Oct 11
- David City Apr 26 · Oct 11
- Weston Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Abie Apr 26 · Oct 11
- Valparaiso Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Prague Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Ulysses Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Bee Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Malmo Apr 23 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Brainard, NE?
The median last spring frost in Brainard, NE is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Brainard, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Brainard, NE?
About 168 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Brainard, NE?
Brainard, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.