Dunbar, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 19median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Dunbar compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dunbar falls between April 4 and May 1, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 184-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 136 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Bellevue, NE, 55 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 1 day shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 1 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 19 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Dunbar, NE
Dunbar, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 19, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Nov 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dunbar, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 24 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 5 – Nov 9 |
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 Nebraska City 2nw, NE weather station, 12 km away (elevation 1,056 ft (322 m)).
Frost dates near Dunbar
- Lorton Apr 25 · Oct 11
- Talmage Apr 18 · Oct 19
- Nebraska City Apr 18 · Oct 19
- Otoe Apr 25 · Oct 11
- Syracuse Apr 25 · Oct 11
- Avoca Apr 23 · Oct 16
- Nehawka Apr 23 · Oct 16
- Julian Apr 24 · Oct 10
- Brock Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Union Apr 18 · Oct 19
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dunbar, NE?
The median last spring frost in Dunbar, NE is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 1, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dunbar, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Dunbar, NE?
About 184 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dunbar, NE?
Dunbar, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.