Salem, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 18median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season182 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between April 4 and May 2, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 1 and October 30.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 182-day growing season is longer than 95% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 11 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 131 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Saint Joseph, MO, 83 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 4 |
| 50% (median) | April 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 1 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | October 30 |
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 Salem, NE
Salem, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 18, first frost Oct 17, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23Sow outdoors: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Mar 21 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Transplant outside: May 2 to May 23
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 21 – Apr 25 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 | May 9 – May 23 | — |
| Basil | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 25 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 2 – May 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Falls City Brenner Fld, NE weather station, 12 km away (elevation 981 ft (299 m)).
Frost dates near Salem
- Verdon Apr 18 · Oct 17
- Falls City Apr 18 · Oct 17
- Dawson Apr 18 · Oct 17
- Stella Apr 24 · Oct 10
- Shubert Apr 24 · Oct 10
- Humboldt Apr 23 · Oct 13
- Rulo Apr 18 · Oct 14
- Du Bois Apr 22 · Oct 15
- Nemaha Apr 24 · Oct 10
- Table Rock Apr 23 · Oct 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, NE?
The median last spring frost in Salem, NE is April 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salem, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 1.
How long is the growing season in Salem, NE?
About 182 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, NE?
Salem, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.