Last frost date in Papillion, NE

Average last frost
April 21

The average last frost in Papillion is April 21. By May 4 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 18, which leaves 179 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 4 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 4
Average first frost
Oct 18
Frost-free season
179 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 10
Next 7 nights in Papillion

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 18.

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

  1. ThuOct 2257°
  2. FriOct 2361°
  3. SatOct 2454°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2743°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 21First frost Oct 18179 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND179 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Gretna 4NE, 6.0 miles from Papillion.

Planting calendar for Papillion

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
TomatoesApr 28–May 12
PumpkinsMay 5–May 19
SunflowersApr 21–May 12
CucumbersMay 5–May 12
CornApr 28–May 12
Sweet potatoesMay 12–May 26
WatermelonMay 5–May 19
Green beansApr 28–May 19
ZucchiniApr 28–May 12
OkraMay 12–May 26
PeppersMay 5–May 19
BasilApr 28–May 12
Butternut squashApr 28–May 12
CantaloupeMay 5–May 19
EggplantMay 5–May 19
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 24–Apr 7
OnionsMar 10–Mar 31
CarrotsMar 31–May 5
LettuceApr 7–Apr 28
BroccoliMar 24–Apr 7
BeetsMar 24–May 5
PeasMar 10–Mar 24
CabbageMar 24–Apr 7
RadishesMar 17–Apr 28
Brussels sproutsApr 7–Apr 21
SpinachMar 10–Mar 31
CilantroApr 7–Apr 28
KaleMar 24–Apr 7
Collard greensMar 24–Apr 7
TurnipsMar 24–Apr 7
DillApr 21–May 5
CeleryApr 28–May 5
CauliflowerApr 7–Apr 21
LeeksApr 7–Apr 21
Swiss chardApr 7–May 5
ParsleyApr 7–Apr 28
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 4–Nov 8
GarlicSep 27–Nov 1
Daffodil bulbsSep 20–Nov 1
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 24–Apr 7
AsparagusMar 24–Apr 7

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 5Apr 21May 4Oct 4Oct 18Oct 31
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 27Apr 10Apr 25Oct 14Oct 27Nov 10

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 Gretna 4NE (USC00253467) sits 6.0 miles from the center of Papillion at 1,240 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 Papillion, NE?

The average last frost date in Papillion is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 4.

When is the first frost in Papillion?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 18. One year in ten it arrives before October 4.

How long is the growing season in Papillion?

About 179 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Papillion?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 28 to May 12. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nebraska

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