Last frost date in Lincoln, NE

Average last frost
April 24

In Lincoln, the last spring frost comes around April 24 in an average year. Wait until May 7 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 13, which leaves 171 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 29 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 7
Average first frost
Oct 13
Frost-free season
171 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 15
Next 7 nights in Lincoln

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 13.

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

  1. ThuOct 2259°
  2. FriOct 2362°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2846°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 24First frost Oct 13171 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND171 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Lincoln Municipal Airport, 4.7 miles from Lincoln.

Planting calendar for Lincoln

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 1–May 15
PumpkinsMay 8–May 22
SunflowersApr 24–May 15
CucumbersMay 8–May 15
CornMay 1–May 15
Sweet potatoesMay 15–May 29
WatermelonMay 8–May 22
Green beansMay 1–May 22
ZucchiniMay 1–May 15
OkraMay 15–May 29
PeppersMay 8–May 22
BasilMay 1–May 15
Butternut squashMay 1–May 15
CantaloupeMay 8–May 22
EggplantMay 8–May 22
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 27–Apr 10
OnionsMar 13–Apr 3
CarrotsApr 3–May 8
LettuceApr 10–May 1
BroccoliMar 27–Apr 10
BeetsMar 27–May 8
PeasMar 13–Mar 27
CabbageMar 27–Apr 10
RadishesMar 20–May 1
Brussels sproutsApr 10–Apr 24
SpinachMar 13–Apr 3
CilantroApr 10–May 1
KaleMar 27–Apr 10
Collard greensMar 27–Apr 10
TurnipsMar 27–Apr 10
DillApr 24–May 8
CeleryMay 1–May 8
CauliflowerApr 10–Apr 24
LeeksApr 10–Apr 24
Swiss chardApr 10–May 8
ParsleyApr 10–May 1
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 29–Nov 3
GarlicSep 22–Oct 27
Daffodil bulbsSep 15–Oct 27
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 27–Apr 10
AsparagusMar 27–Apr 10

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 10Apr 24May 7Sep 29Oct 13Oct 24
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 2Apr 15Apr 29Oct 8Oct 22Nov 2

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 Lincoln Municipal Airport (USW00014939) sits 4.7 miles from the center of Lincoln at 1,190 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 Lincoln, NE?

The average last frost date in Lincoln is April 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 7.

When is the first frost in Lincoln?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 13. One year in ten it arrives before September 29.

How long is the growing season in Lincoln?

About 171 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Lincoln?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 1 to May 15. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nebraska

All 11 cities in Nebraska