Howells, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season169 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Howells compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Howells falls between April 13 and May 8, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 25.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 169-day growing season is longer than 59% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 152 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Omaha, NE, 98 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 17 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 25 |
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 Howells, NE
Howells, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 11, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Howells, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Howells, NE weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,519 ft (463 m)).
Frost dates near Howells
- Clarkson Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Dodge Apr 25 · Oct 11
- Snyder Apr 28 · Oct 12
- Leigh Apr 27 · Oct 10
- West Point Apr 28 · Oct 12
- Stanton Apr 28 · Oct 9
- Beemer Apr 28 · Oct 12
- Pilger Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Rogers Apr 25 · Oct 11
- Creston Apr 30 · Oct 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Howells, NE?
The median last spring frost in Howells, NE is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Howells, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Howells, NE?
About 169 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Howells, NE?
Howells, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.