Ithaca, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 13median date
Growing season171 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Ithaca compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ithaca falls between April 9 and May 7, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 28 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 171-day growing season is longer than 66% 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 149 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lincoln, NE, 42 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 9 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 28 |
| 50% (median) | October 13 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 Ithaca, NE
Ithaca, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 13, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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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 18 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 7 to Jul 28
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 21 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
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 21 to Aug 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 29 to Nov 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ithaca, 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 18 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 4 – Aug 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 7 – Jul 28 |
| 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 21 – Aug 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 22 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| 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 21 – Aug 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 18 – Sep 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 29 – Nov 3 |
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 Mead 6s, NE weather station, 5 km away (elevation 1,155 ft (352 m)).
Frost dates near Ithaca
- Mead Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Wahoo Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Memphis Apr 25 · Oct 13
- Yutan Apr 15 · Oct 21
- Colon Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Ceresco Apr 22 · Oct 16
- Ashland Apr 23 · Oct 16
- Weston Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Waterloo Apr 15 · Oct 21
- Malmo Apr 23 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ithaca, NE?
The median last spring frost in Ithaca, NE is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ithaca, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 28.
How long is the growing season in Ithaca, NE?
About 171 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ithaca, NE?
Ithaca, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.