Broken Bow, NE frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season159 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Broken Bow compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Broken Bow falls between April 17 and May 15, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 23 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 159-day growing season is longer than 33% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Island, NE, 117 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 16 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 17 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 23 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Broken Bow, NE
Broken Bow, NE frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 7, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Broken Bow, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Broken Bow Muni Ap, NE weather station, 2 km away (elevation 2,530 ft (771 m)).
Frost dates near Broken Bow
- Merna May 10 · Oct 1
- Westerville May 4 · Oct 4
- Ansley May 3 · Oct 5
- Anselmo May 10 · Oct 1
- Oconto May 10 · Oct 1
- Sargent May 3 · Oct 5
- Callaway May 3 · Oct 6
- Comstock May 4 · Oct 4
- Mason City May 3 · Oct 5
- Arcadia May 4 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Broken Bow, NE?
The median last spring frost in Broken Bow, NE is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Broken Bow, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 23.
How long is the growing season in Broken Bow, NE?
About 159 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Broken Bow, NE?
Broken Bow, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.