Last frost date in Norfolk, NE

Average last frost
May 1

The average last frost in Norfolk is May 1. By May 16 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 4, which leaves 156 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 22 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 16
Average first frost
Oct 4
Frost-free season
156 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 21
Next 7 nights in Norfolk

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 4.

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

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2446°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2639°
  6. TueOct 2739°
  7. WedOct 2841°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost May 1First frost Oct 4156 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND156 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Norfolk 4W, 3.0 miles from Norfolk.

Planting calendar for Norfolk

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 8–May 22
PumpkinsMay 15–May 29
SunflowersMay 1–May 22
CucumbersMay 15–May 22
CornMay 8–May 22
Sweet potatoesMay 22–Jun 5
WatermelonMay 15–May 29
Green beansMay 8–May 29
ZucchiniMay 8–May 22
OkraMay 22–Jun 5
PeppersMay 15–May 29
BasilMay 8–May 22
Butternut squashMay 8–May 22
CantaloupeMay 15–May 29
EggplantMay 15–May 29
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesApr 3–Apr 17
OnionsMar 20–Apr 10
CarrotsApr 10–May 15
LettuceApr 17–May 8
BroccoliApr 3–Apr 17
BeetsApr 3–May 15
PeasMar 20–Apr 3
CabbageApr 3–Apr 17
RadishesMar 27–May 8
Brussels sproutsApr 17–May 1
SpinachMar 20–Apr 10
CilantroApr 17–May 8
KaleApr 3–Apr 17
Collard greensApr 3–Apr 17
TurnipsApr 3–Apr 17
DillMay 1–May 15
CeleryMay 8–May 15
CauliflowerApr 17–May 1
LeeksApr 17–May 1
Swiss chardApr 17–May 15
ParsleyApr 17–May 8
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsSep 20–Oct 25
GarlicSep 13–Oct 18
Daffodil bulbsSep 6–Oct 18
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesApr 3–Apr 17
AsparagusApr 3–Apr 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 16May 1May 16Sep 22Oct 4Oct 18
Hard freeze, 28°FApr 6Apr 21May 5Sep 28Oct 15Oct 27

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 Norfolk 4W (USC00255997) sits 3.0 miles from the center of Norfolk at 1,545 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 Norfolk, NE?

The average last frost date in Norfolk is May 1, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 16.

When is the first frost in Norfolk?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 4. One year in ten it arrives before September 22.

How long is the growing season in Norfolk?

About 156 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Norfolk?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from May 8 to May 22. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nebraska

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