Harvard, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season184 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Harvard compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Harvard falls between April 5 and May 3, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 3 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 10 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 10 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 145 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Island, NE, 42 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 9 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 3 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Harvard, NE
Harvard, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 20, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Harvard, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Clay Ctr, NE weather station, 12 km away (elevation 1,788 ft (545 m)).
Frost dates near Harvard
- Inland Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Saronville Apr 19 · Oct 20
- Clay Center Apr 19 · Oct 20
- Giltner Apr 21 · Oct 15
- Trumbull Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Sutton Apr 19 · Oct 20
- Glenvil Apr 19 · Oct 20
- Fairfield Apr 19 · Oct 20
- Aurora Apr 21 · Oct 15
- Hastings Apr 22 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Harvard, NE?
The median last spring frost in Harvard, NE is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 3, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Harvard, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 3.
How long is the growing season in Harvard, NE?
About 184 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Harvard, NE?
Harvard, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.