Pawnee City, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 22median date
First fall frostOct 15median date
Growing season176 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Pawnee City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Pawnee City falls between April 7 and May 7, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 27.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 176-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 7 days earlier than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 135 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lincoln, NE, 91 km away, the last frost here is 2 days earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 7 |
| 50% (median) | April 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 15 |
| 90% (late) | October 27 |
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 Pawnee City, NE
Pawnee City, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 22, first frost Oct 15, zone 6a. 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 20 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 9 to Jul 30
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 23 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 13Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 25 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
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 23 to Aug 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 13
Sow outdoors: Apr 29 to May 13
Transplant outside: May 6 to May 27
Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Nov 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Pawnee City, 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 20 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 9 – Jul 30 |
| 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 23 – Aug 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 29 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 13 | Apr 29 – May 13 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| 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 23 – Aug 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 29 – May 13 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 6 – May 27 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 1 – Nov 5 |
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 Pawnee City, NE weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,188 ft (362 m)).
Frost dates near Pawnee City
- Table Rock Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Du Bois Apr 22 · Oct 15
- Steinauer Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Burchard Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Humboldt Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Elk Creek Apr 26 · Oct 10
- Lewiston Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Dawson Apr 18 · Oct 17
- Liberty Apr 22 · Oct 20
- Tecumseh Apr 26 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Pawnee City, NE?
The median last spring frost in Pawnee City, NE is April 22. 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 Pawnee City, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Pawnee City, NE?
About 176 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Pawnee City, NE?
Pawnee City, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.