Frost dates for 68520 — Lincoln, NE
Last spring frostApr 27median date
First fall frostOct 10median date
Growing season166 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Lincoln compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lincoln falls between April 13 and May 8, a 25-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 25 and October 23.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Nebraska median of Apr 29.
- Its 166-day growing season is longer than 52% of the 528 Nebraska places with a regular frost season (state median 165 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 6a, where the median is Apr 29.
- The weather station records an average of 146 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Omaha, NE, 71 km away, the last frost here is 9 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 13 |
| 50% (median) | April 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 25 |
| 50% (median) | October 10 |
| 90% (late) | October 23 |
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 Lincoln, NE
Frost dates for 68520 — Lincoln, NE — last frost Apr 27, first frost Oct 10, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Jul 4 to Jul 25
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 18 to Jun 1Sow outdoors: May 18 to Jun 1
Start indoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Transplant outside: May 4 to May 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 18Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Start indoors: Mar 30 to Apr 6Transplant outside: May 11 to May 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 11Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 25Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: May 4 to May 18
Transplant outside: May 11 to Jun 1
Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 31
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lincoln, NE
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Mar 30 – May 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | Jul 4 – Jul 25 |
| Okra | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 | May 18 – Jun 1 | — |
| Basil | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 4 – May 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 23 – May 4 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 18 | May 4 – May 18 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | May 11 – May 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Jul 18 – Aug 1 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 6 – May 4 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 13 – May 11 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 4 – May 25 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 4 – May 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 11 – Jun 1 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 26 – Oct 31 |
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 Lincoln 8 Ene, NE weather station, 8 km away (elevation 1,188 ft (362 m)).
ZIP codes in Lincoln: 68501 68502 68503 68504 68505 68506 68507 68508 68509 68510 68512 68514 68516 68517 68520 68521 68522 68523 68524 68526 68527 68528 68529 68531 68532 68542 68544 68583 68588
Frost dates near Lincoln
- Walton Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Bennet Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Eagle Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Roca Apr 22 · Oct 14
- Palmyra Apr 25 · Oct 11
- Waverly Apr 27 · Oct 10
- Hickman Apr 23 · Oct 12
- Alvo Apr 27 · Oct 10
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lincoln, NE?
The median last spring frost in Lincoln, NE is April 27. 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 Lincoln, NE?
The median first fall frost is October 10, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 25.
How long is the growing season in Lincoln, NE?
About 166 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lincoln, NE?
Lincoln, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.