Last frost date in Kearney, NE

Average last frost
April 30

In Kearney, the last spring frost comes around April 30 in an average year. Wait until May 12 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 10, which leaves 162 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 25 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 12
Average first frost
Oct 10
Frost-free season
162 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 19
Next 7 nights in Kearney

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 10.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2359°
  3. SatOct 2445°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2637°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 30First frost Oct 10162 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND162 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Kearney 4 NE, 4.0 miles from Kearney.

Planting calendar for Kearney

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Nebraska.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesMay 7–May 21
PumpkinsMay 14–May 28
SunflowersApr 30–May 21
CucumbersMay 14–May 21
CornMay 7–May 21
Sweet potatoesMay 21–Jun 4
WatermelonMay 14–May 28
Green beansMay 7–May 28
ZucchiniMay 7–May 21
OkraMay 21–Jun 4
PeppersMay 14–May 28
BasilMay 7–May 21
Butternut squashMay 7–May 21
CantaloupeMay 14–May 28
EggplantMay 14–May 28
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 2–Apr 16
OnionsMar 19–Apr 9
CarrotsApr 9–May 14
LettuceApr 16–May 7
BroccoliApr 2–Apr 16
BeetsApr 2–May 14
PeasMar 19–Apr 2
CabbageApr 2–Apr 16
RadishesMar 26–May 7
Brussels sproutsApr 16–Apr 30
SpinachMar 19–Apr 9
CilantroApr 16–May 7
KaleApr 2–Apr 16
Collard greensApr 2–Apr 16
TurnipsApr 2–Apr 16
DillApr 30–May 14
CeleryMay 7–May 14
CauliflowerApr 16–Apr 30
LeeksApr 16–Apr 30
Swiss chardApr 16–May 14
ParsleyApr 16–May 7
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 26–Oct 31
GarlicSep 19–Oct 24
Daffodil bulbsSep 12–Oct 24
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 2–Apr 16
AsparagusApr 2–Apr 16

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 16Apr 30May 12Sep 25Oct 10Oct 22
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 4Apr 19May 3Oct 3Oct 19Oct 30

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Kearney 4 NE (USC00254335) sits 4.0 miles from the center of Kearney at 2,130 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Kearney, NE?

The average last frost date in Kearney is April 30, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 12.

When is the first frost in Kearney?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 10. One year in ten it arrives before September 25.

How long is the growing season in Kearney?

About 162 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Kearney?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 7 to May 21. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nebraska

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