Keystone, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 18median date
Growing season179 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Keystone compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Keystone falls between April 8 and May 6, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 2 and October 28.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 179-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 9 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 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 8 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 2 |
| 50% (median) | October 18 |
| 90% (late) | October 28 |
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 Keystone, NE
Keystone, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 18, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27Sow outdoors: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 11 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Nov 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Keystone, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 29 | Aug 23 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Okra | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | May 13 – May 27 | May 13 – May 27 | — |
| Basil | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 4 – Nov 8 |
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 Kingsley Dam, NE weather station, 7 km away (elevation 3,317 ft (1,011 m)).
Frost dates near Keystone
- Lemoyne Apr 22 · Oct 18
- Ogallala May 1 · Oct 12
- Paxton Apr 22 · Oct 18
- Brule May 10 · Oct 3
- Arthur May 9 · Oct 3
- Sutherland May 4 · Oct 9
- Lewellen May 9 · Oct 2
- Big Springs May 10 · Oct 3
- Madrid May 4 · Oct 7
- Grant May 4 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Keystone, NE?
The median last spring frost in Keystone, NE is April 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Keystone, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 2.
How long is the growing season in Keystone, NE?
About 179 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Keystone, NE?
Keystone, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.