Madrid, NE frost dates
Last spring frostMay 4median date
First fall frostOct 7median date
Growing season156 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Madrid compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Madrid falls between April 22 and May 16, a 24-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 18.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 156-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 5b, where the median is May 1.
- The weather station records an average of 168 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 22 |
| 50% (median) | May 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 7 |
| 90% (late) | October 18 |
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 Madrid, NE
Madrid, NE frost dates — last frost May 4, first frost Oct 7, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 1 to Jul 22
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 25 to Jun 8Sow outdoors: May 25 to Jun 8
Start indoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to May 25Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Apr 6 to Apr 13Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: May 11 to Jun 1Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 11 to May 25
Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 8
Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Madrid, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Apr 6 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | Jul 1 – Jul 22 |
| Okra | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 25 – Jun 8 | May 25 – Jun 8 | — |
| Basil | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 30 – May 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – May 25 | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 6 – Apr 13 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 20 – May 18 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 11 – May 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 18 – Jun 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 23 – Oct 28 |
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 Madrid, NE weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 3,199 ft (975 m)).
Frost dates near Madrid
- Elsie May 4 · Oct 4
- Grant May 4 · Oct 7
- Wallace May 4 · Oct 4
- Ogallala May 1 · Oct 12
- Paxton Apr 22 · Oct 18
- Imperial May 7 · Oct 5
- Venango May 10 · Oct 3
- Brule May 10 · Oct 3
- Enders May 2 · Oct 11
- Dickens May 4 · Oct 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Madrid, NE?
The median last spring frost in Madrid, NE is May 4. 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 Madrid, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Madrid, NE?
About 156 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Madrid, NE?
Madrid, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.