Mitchell, NE frost dates
Last spring frostMay 7median date
First fall frostOct 2median date
Growing season148 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Mitchell compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Mitchell falls between April 26 and May 21, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 18 and October 15.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 148-day growing season is longer than 9% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 170 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 26 |
| 50% (median) | May 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 2 |
| 90% (late) | October 15 |
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 Mitchell, NE
Mitchell, NE frost dates — last frost May 7, first frost Oct 2, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 12 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Jun 26 to Jul 17
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 28 to Jun 11Sow outdoors: May 28 to Jun 11
Start indoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to May 28Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Apr 9 to Apr 16Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 10 to Jul 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 7
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: May 14 to Jun 4Plant for fall: Jul 17 to Jul 31
Sow outdoors: May 14 to May 28
Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 11
Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Mitchell, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 9 – May 14 | Aug 7 – Sep 4 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | Jun 26 – Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 28 – Jun 11 | May 28 – Jun 11 | — |
| Basil | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Jul 10 – Jul 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 2 – May 14 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – May 28 | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 10 – Jul 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 23 – May 21 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | Jul 17 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 14 – May 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 21 – Jun 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 18 – Oct 23 |
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 Mitchell 5e, NE weather station, 8 km away (elevation 4,081 ft (1,244 m)).
Frost dates near Mitchell
- Morrill May 7 · Oct 2
- Scottsbluff May 8 · Oct 3
- Gering May 8 · Oct 3
- Lyman May 11 · Sep 29
- Minatare May 5 · Oct 11
- Melbeta May 5 · Oct 4
- Mcgrew May 5 · Oct 11
- Harrisburg May 24 · Sep 20
- Bayard May 8 · Oct 3
- Angora May 8 · Oct 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mitchell, NE?
The median last spring frost in Mitchell, NE is May 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Mitchell, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 18.
How long is the growing season in Mitchell, NE?
About 148 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Mitchell, NE?
Mitchell, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.