When is the last frost in Lincoln, NE?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Lincoln is April 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until May 7.

When is the first frost in Lincoln?

The average first fall frost in Lincoln is October 13, with a growing season of about 171 days.

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Lincoln, Nebraska frost dates

Average last spring frost: April 24. Average first fall frost: October 13. That gives a growing season of about 171 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is May 7, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Apr 24

1-in-10 risk after May 7

First frost (50%)

Oct 13

1-in-10 risk before Sep 29

Growing season

171 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Apr 15

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	April 10	October 24
70%	April 18	October 18
50%	April 24	October 13
30%	April 30	October 7
10%	May 7	September 29

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after May 7. These are NOAA probabilities for the Lincoln Muni Airport weather station (USW00014939, elevation 363 m), 1991–2020.

Lincoln vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (April 24). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (May 7) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Apr 3	May 1 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Feb 13	Mar 27
Brussels sprouts	Feb 13	Mar 27
Cabbage	Feb 6	Mar 20
Cauliflower	Feb 27	Apr 10
Sweet corn	Mar 27	Apr 24 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Apr 10	May 1
Kale	Feb 6	Mar 20
Leeks	Jan 9	Mar 20
Lettuce	Mar 6	Apr 10
Melons	Apr 17	May 8
Onions	Jan 2	Mar 13 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Feb 27	Mar 27 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Mar 13	May 8
Squash	Apr 17	May 8
Tomatoes	Feb 27	Apr 24

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around October 13. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before September 29. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around October 22.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Omaha, NE	Apr 18	Oct 21	~88 km
Topeka, KS	Apr 12	Oct 23	~219 km
Kansas City, MO	Apr 13	Oct 24	~242 km
Des Moines, IA	Apr 18	Oct 20	~271 km
Sioux Falls, SD	May 1	Oct 6	~304 km
Wichita, KS	Apr 11	Oct 29	~360 km

More: all Nebraska frost dates