Shelby, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 25median date
First fall frostOct 14median date
Growing season172 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Shelby compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Shelby falls between April 12 and May 8, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 29 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 172-day growing season is longer than 68% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 6 days earlier than the zone 5b median of May 1. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 144 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Lincoln, NE, 74 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is the same length.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 12 |
| 50% (median) | April 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 29 |
| 50% (median) | October 14 |
| 90% (late) | October 24 |
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 Shelby, NE
Shelby, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 14, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 16 to May 30Sow outdoors: May 16 to May 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to May 2Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Mar 28 to Apr 4Transplant outside: May 9 to May 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 23Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Transplant outside: May 9 to May 30
Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Nov 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Shelby, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Mar 28 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Broccoli | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Okra | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 16 – May 30 | May 16 – May 30 | — |
| Basil | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | May 2 – May 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 21 – May 2 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | May 9 – May 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 4 – May 2 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 11 – May 9 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 2 – May 23 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 9 – May 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 30 – Nov 4 |
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 Osceola, NE weather station, 11 km away (elevation 1,663 ft (507 m)).
Frost dates near Shelby
- Rising City Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Osceola Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Surprise Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Stromsburg Apr 25 · Oct 14
- Gresham Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Bellwood Apr 21 · Oct 15
- Duncan Apr 21 · Oct 15
- Ulysses Apr 29 · Oct 9
- Silver Creek Apr 30 · Oct 5
- David City Apr 26 · Oct 11
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Shelby, NE?
The median last spring frost in Shelby, NE is April 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 8, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Shelby, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 29.
How long is the growing season in Shelby, NE?
About 172 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Shelby, NE?
Shelby, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.