Frost Dates for Omaha, NE

In Omaha, NE, the average last spring frost is around Apr 16 and the average first fall frost around Oct 18, for a growing season of about 183 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until May 6, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 1650% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantMay 6only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 1850% chance of frost before this date
Growing season183 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Omaha #1, NE weather station, 6 miles away, elevation 1,280 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%May 6Oct 2
20%May 1Oct 8
30%Apr 25Oct 12
40%Apr 20Oct 15
50%Apr 16Oct 18
60%Apr 13Oct 21
70%Apr 9Oct 23
80%Apr 5Oct 25
90%Apr 2Oct 29

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)May 2Oct 9
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 16Oct 18
Hard freeze (28°F)Apr 5Oct 26

Planting calendar for Omaha

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Peppers
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Eggplant
Indoors Feb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Basil
Indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 23 – May 7
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sow or transplant Apr 30 – May 14
Green beans
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 23 – May 7
Lettuce
Indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19
Sow or transplant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 20
Spinach
Sow Mar 5 – Mar 26
Fall sowing Aug 23 – Sep 13
Peas
Sow Mar 5 – Mar 19
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Kale
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Sow or transplant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Sep 6
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Apr 2 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Jul 26 – Aug 9
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5
Transplant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall sowing Jul 26 – Aug 9
Carrots
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Jul 26 – Aug 9
Radishes
Sow Mar 12 – Apr 2
Fall sowing Sep 6 – Sep 27
Beets
Sow Mar 26 – Apr 16
Fall sowing Aug 9 – Aug 23
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 22 – Feb 5
Plant Mar 19 – Apr 2
Potatoes
Plant Mar 26 – Apr 9
Garlic
Plant Oct 18 – Nov 15

Based on the average last frost (Apr 16) and first frost (Oct 18). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

PapillionBellevueFremontLincolnColumbusNorfolkGrand IslandHastingsAll Nebraska towns