Franklin, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 8median date
Growing season161 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Franklin compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Franklin falls between April 16 and May 12, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 21.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 161-day growing season is longer than 40% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 154 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Island, NE, 100 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 8 |
| 90% (late) | October 21 |
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 Franklin, NE
Franklin, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 8, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 2 to Jul 23
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 16 to Jul 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Franklin, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 13 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 2 – Jul 23 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 16 – Aug 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 16 – Jul 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 24 – Oct 29 |
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 Franklin #2, NE weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,860 ft (567 m)).
Frost dates near Franklin
- Bloomington Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Riverton Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Naponee Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Upland Apr 26 · Oct 12
- Republican City Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Inavale May 1 · Oct 5
- Hildreth Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Campbell Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Wilcox Apr 24 · Oct 18
- Alma Apr 25 · Oct 14
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Franklin, NE?
The median last spring frost in Franklin, NE is April 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Franklin, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Franklin, NE?
About 161 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Franklin, NE?
Franklin, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.