Wood Lake, NE frost dates
Last spring frostApr 30median date
First fall frostOct 11median date
Growing season164 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone5bZone 5b
How Wood Lake compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Wood Lake falls between April 16 and May 12, a 26-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 26 and October 24.
- The median last frost is 1 day later than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 164-day growing season is longer than 48% 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 151 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 26 |
| 50% (median) | October 11 |
| 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 Wood Lake, NE
Wood Lake, NE frost dates — last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 11, zone 5b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Jul 5 to Jul 26
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 21 to Jun 4Sow outdoors: May 21 to Jun 4
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Apr 2 to Apr 9Transplant outside: May 14 to May 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 9
Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Transplant outside: May 14 to Jun 4
Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Nov 1
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Wood Lake, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 2 – May 7 | Aug 16 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — | Jul 5 – Jul 26 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 21 – Jun 4 | May 21 – Jun 4 | — |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 19 – Apr 9 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 26 – May 7 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | May 14 – May 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Jul 19 – Aug 2 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 9 – May 7 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 16 – May 14 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 16 – May 7 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 7 – May 28 | Jul 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 14 – Jun 4 | — | — |
| 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 Valentine Nwr, NE weather station, 34 km away (elevation 2,940 ft (896 m)).
Frost dates near Wood Lake
- Johnstown May 2 · Oct 8
- Valentine May 6 · Oct 4
- Sparks May 12 · Sep 29
- Ainsworth May 2 · Oct 8
- Elsmere May 9 · Oct 2
- Springview May 10 · Oct 1
- Long Pine May 2 · Oct 8
- Crookston May 10 · Sep 29
- Bassett May 6 · Oct 1
- Purdum May 9 · Oct 2
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Wood Lake, NE?
The median last spring frost in Wood Lake, NE is April 30. 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 Wood Lake, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 11, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 26.
How long is the growing season in Wood Lake, NE?
About 164 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Wood Lake, NE?
Wood Lake, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b.