Valley, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 21median date
Growing season189 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Valley compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Valley falls between April 2 and April 29, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 6 and November 2.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 189-day growing season is among the longest of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 16 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 136 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Omaha, NE, 29 km away, the last frost here is 3 days earlier than there and the growing season is 3 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 6 |
| 50% (median) | October 21 |
| 90% (late) | November 2 |
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 Valley, NE
Valley, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 21, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Nov 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Valley, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 15 – Aug 5 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Jul 29 – Aug 12 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 5 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 7 – Nov 11 |
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 Valley Nws, NE weather station, 2 km away (elevation 1,145 ft (349 m)).
Frost dates near Valley
- Waterloo Apr 15 · Oct 21
- Elkhorn Apr 15 · Oct 21
- Yutan Apr 15 · Oct 21
- Arlington Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Washington Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Mead Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Bennington Apr 19 · Oct 17
- Fremont Apr 23 · Oct 15
- Boys Town Apr 21 · Oct 18
- Kennard Apr 19 · Oct 17
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Valley, NE?
The median last spring frost in Valley, NE is April 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Valley, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 21, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 6.
How long is the growing season in Valley, NE?
About 189 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Valley, NE?
Valley, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.