Harrisburg, NE frost dates
Last spring frostMay 24median date
First fall frostSep 20median date
Growing season119 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Harrisburg compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Harrisburg falls between May 11 and June 12, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 6 and October 3.
- The median last frost is 25 days later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 119-day growing season is among the shortest of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 21 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 188 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Cheyenne, WY, 101 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 23 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 11 |
| 50% (median) | May 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 6 |
| 50% (median) | September 20 |
| 90% (late) | October 3 |
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 Harrisburg, NE
Harrisburg, NE frost dates — last frost May 24, first frost Sep 20, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Plant for fall: Jun 14 to Jul 5
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: Jun 14 to Jun 28Sow outdoors: Jun 14 to Jun 28
Start indoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Transplant outside: May 31 to Jun 14
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 31Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 14Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Start indoors: Apr 26 to May 3Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 12
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24
Sow outdoors: May 10 to Jun 7Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 31Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 21
Sow outdoors: May 31 to Jun 14
Transplant outside: Jun 7 to Jun 28
Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Harrisburg, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | Apr 26 – May 31 | Jul 26 – Aug 23 |
| Kale | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Cabbage | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 3 – May 17 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | May 10 – May 24 | — | Jun 14 – Jul 5 |
| Okra | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | Jun 14 – Jun 28 | — |
| Basil | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | May 31 – Jun 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 19 – May 31 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 14 | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 5 – Jul 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 26 – May 3 | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 26 – May 3 | Jun 7 – Jun 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jun 28 – Jul 12 |
| Beets | — | — | May 3 – May 31 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 10 – Jun 7 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 10 – May 31 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 31 – Jun 21 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 31 – Jun 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 7 – Jun 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 6 – Oct 11 |
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 Harrisburg 12wnw, NE weather station, 22 km away (elevation 4,551 ft (1,387 m)).
Frost dates near Harrisburg
- Melbeta May 5 · Oct 4
- Gering May 8 · Oct 3
- Mcgrew May 5 · Oct 11
- Scottsbluff May 8 · Oct 3
- Kimball May 15 · Sep 26
- Minatare May 5 · Oct 11
- Bayard May 8 · Oct 3
- Dix May 15 · Sep 26
- Bushnell May 10 · Oct 1
- Mitchell May 7 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Harrisburg, NE?
The median last spring frost in Harrisburg, NE is May 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Harrisburg, NE?
The median first fall frost is September 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 6.
How long is the growing season in Harrisburg, NE?
About 119 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Harrisburg, NE?
Harrisburg, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.