Fall in zone 5bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 68016 (Cedar Creek, NE)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Gretna 4NE, NE (11 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2150% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)179 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5b-15 to -10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 52°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Rogers Farm #1 (23 mi), Lincoln 11 SW (45 mi).
4-inch depth
53°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 53°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Rogers Farm #1 (23 mi), Lincoln 11 SW (45 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 68016 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 53°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 18: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 5 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 21 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 4 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 4 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 31 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 1 | Oct 8 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 21 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 68016
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 21) and first fall frost (Oct 18). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 31–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 24–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 10–31 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) Jul 12–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 24–Apr 21 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) Jul 12–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 10–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 10–24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 24–Mar 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 10–24 | Apr 7–28 (transplant) Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 24–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 31–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 17–Apr 28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 24–Apr 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 24–Mar 24 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 10–Apr 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 10–24 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 12–26 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 12–Jun 2 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 24–31 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 24–31 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 24–31 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 24–31 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 24–31 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 10–24 | May 5–19 (transplant) May 5–19 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 27–Feb 10 | Apr 28–May 5 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 10–24 | Apr 28–May 12 (transplant) Apr 28–May 12 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 7–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 10–24 | Apr 7–21 (transplant) Mar 31–Apr 21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 21–May 5 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 24–Apr 7 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Nebraska has a university or garden plant program: GreatPlants. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 21 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Gretna 4NE, NE (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00253467), elevation 1,240 ft, 10.6 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield 7E, NE | 6 mi | Apr 17 | Oct 19 |
| Weeping Water, NE | 11 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
| Ashland #2, NE | 15 mi | Apr 23 | Oct 16 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 68016
When is the last frost in 68016?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 68016 is April 21. For a more cautious planting date, use May 4, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 68016?
The average first fall freeze is October 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 4.
What hardiness zone is 68016?
ZIP 68016 is in USDA zone 5b (-15 to -10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 68016 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
68037 Louisville 68059 Richfield 68046 Papillion 68058 South Bend 68403 Manley 68133 Papillion 68048 Plattsmouth 68138 Chalco
Other ZIP codes in Cass County
68037 68048 68058 68304 68307 68347 68349 68366 68403 68407 68409 68413 68455 68463 All Cass County frost dates · Nebraska frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.