Laurel, NE frost dates
Last spring frostMay 2median date
First fall frostOct 4median date
Growing season155 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Laurel compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Laurel falls between April 19 and May 16, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 20 and October 16.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 155-day growing season is longer than 21% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5a, where the median is May 3.
- The weather station records an average of 164 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux City, IA, 58 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 2 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 20 |
| 50% (median) | October 4 |
| 90% (late) | October 16 |
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 Laurel, NE
Laurel, NE frost dates — last frost May 2, first frost Oct 4, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Jun 28 to Jul 19
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 23 to Jun 6Sow outdoors: May 23 to Jun 6
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Apr 4 to Apr 11Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 12 to Jul 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 30Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Transplant outside: May 16 to Jun 6
Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Laurel, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 4 – May 9 | Aug 9 – Sep 6 |
| Kale | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Broccoli | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | Jun 28 – Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 23 – Jun 6 | May 23 – Jun 6 | — |
| Basil | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Jul 12 – Aug 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 28 – May 9 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | May 16 – May 30 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 12 – Jul 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 18 – May 16 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 9 – May 30 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 16 – Jun 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
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 Concord, NE weather station, 9 km away (elevation 1,444 ft (440 m)).
Frost dates near Laurel
- Dixon May 2 · Oct 4
- Belden May 2 · Oct 4
- Concord May 2 · Oct 4
- Coleridge Apr 30 · Oct 5
- Carroll Apr 29 · Oct 11
- Allen May 2 · Oct 4
- Randolph Apr 30 · Oct 6
- Wayne Apr 29 · Oct 11
- Wakefield May 5 · Oct 1
- Hartington Apr 30 · Oct 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Laurel, NE?
The median last spring frost in Laurel, NE is May 2. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Laurel, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 20.
How long is the growing season in Laurel, NE?
About 155 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Laurel, NE?
Laurel, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.