Red Cloud, NE frost dates
Last spring frostMay 1median date
First fall frostOct 5median date
Growing season157 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Red Cloud compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Red Cloud falls between April 19 and May 14, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 22 and October 19.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 157-day growing season is longer than 27% 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 160 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Grand Island, NE, 91 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 18 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 19 |
| 50% (median) | May 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 22 |
| 50% (median) | October 5 |
| 90% (late) | October 19 |
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 Red Cloud, NE
Red Cloud, NE frost dates — last frost May 1, first frost Oct 5, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Jun 29 to Jul 20
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 22 to Jun 5Sow outdoors: May 22 to Jun 5
Start indoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 22Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Start indoors: Apr 3 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 15 to May 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 13 to Jul 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 15Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 3
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 22
Transplant outside: May 15 to Jun 5
Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Red Cloud, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 3 – May 8 | Aug 10 – Sep 7 |
| Kale | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | Jun 29 – Jul 20 |
| Okra | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 | May 22 – Jun 5 | — |
| Basil | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 8 – May 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Jul 13 – Aug 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 27 – May 8 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 22 | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | May 15 – May 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 13 – Jul 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 10 – May 8 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 17 – May 15 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 8 – May 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 15 – Jun 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 21 – Oct 26 |
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 Red Cloud, NE weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,732 ft (528 m)).
Frost dates near Red Cloud
- Inavale May 1 · Oct 5
- Guide Rock May 1 · Oct 5
- Riverton Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Bladen May 1 · Oct 5
- Blue Hill May 1 · Oct 5
- Campbell Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Lawrence Apr 29 · Oct 10
- Franklin Apr 30 · Oct 8
- Superior Apr 29 · Oct 10
- Ayr Apr 22 · Oct 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Red Cloud, NE?
The median last spring frost in Red Cloud, NE is May 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Red Cloud, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 22.
How long is the growing season in Red Cloud, NE?
About 157 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Red Cloud, NE?
Red Cloud, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.