Wayne, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 29median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season165 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5aZone 5a
How Wayne compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wayne falls between April 15 and May 12, a 27-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 27 and October 22.
- The median last frost is the same as the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 165-day growing season is longer than 49% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is 4 days earlier than the zone 5a median of May 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 5a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 159 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Sioux City, IA, 59 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 27 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 90% (late) | October 22 |
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 Wayne, NE
Wayne, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 29, first frost Oct 11, zone 5a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 20 to Jun 3Sow outdoors: May 20 to Jun 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Apr 1 to Apr 8Transplant outside: May 13 to May 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 27Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Transplant outside: May 13 to Jun 3
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wayne, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 1 – May 6 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 20 – Jun 3 | May 20 – Jun 3 | — |
| Basil | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | May 6 – May 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 25 – May 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | May 13 – May 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 8 – May 6 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 15 – May 13 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 6 – May 27 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 13 – Jun 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 27 – Nov 1 |
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 Wayne, NE weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 1,467 ft (447 m)).
Frost dates near Wayne
- Wakefield May 5 · Oct 1
- Winside Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Carroll Apr 29 · Oct 11
- Concord May 2 · Oct 4
- Dixon May 2 · Oct 4
- Laurel May 2 · Oct 4
- Belden May 2 · Oct 4
- Emerson May 5 · Oct 1
- Hoskins Apr 30 · Oct 7
- Wisner Apr 30 · Oct 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wayne, NE?
The median last spring frost in Wayne, NE is April 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Wayne, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 27.
How long is the growing season in Wayne, NE?
About 165 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wayne, NE?
Wayne, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5a.