Frost dates for ZIP 69351 (Sheridan County, 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, Ellsworth 2W, NE (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMay 1450% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)140 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone5a-20 to -15°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
50°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Whitman 5 ENE (50 mi).
4-inch depth
52°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 55°F, as of Oct 17, 10:00 PM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Whitman 5 ENE (50 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 69351 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 52°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.
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) | May 3 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | May 14 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 28 |
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) | Sep 18 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 2 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 13 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 23 | Sep 23 |
| 32°F (freeze) | May 14 | Oct 2 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | May 5 | Oct 11 |
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 69351
Dates count from your average last spring frost (May 14) and first fall frost (Oct 2). 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 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Mar 5–19 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Mar 5–19 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 19–Apr 2 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 23–May 14 (transplant) Apr 16–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–28 (transplant) Jul 24–Aug 21 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Apr 2–23 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–28 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 24 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–May 14 (transplant) Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–Aug 7 (transplant) Jun 26–Jul 24 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Mar 5–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Mar 5–19 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) | Jun 26–Jul 24 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 12–Jul 3 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 19–Apr 2 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 16–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Apr 2–16 | Apr 30–May 21 (transplant) Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 16–May 14 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 23–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Apr 9–May 21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 21–Sep 4 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 16–May 7 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 19–Apr 16 (sow outdoors) | Jul 10–24 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Apr 2–30 (sow outdoors) | Jul 24–Aug 7 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 19–Mar 5 | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Apr 2–16 (transplant) | Aug 21–Sep 18 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jun 12–26 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Jun 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Jun 4–25 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 16–23 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 16–23 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 16–23 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 16–23 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 16–23 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Apr 2–16 | May 28–Jun 11 (transplant) May 28–Jun 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 19–Mar 5 | May 21–28 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Apr 2–16 | May 21–Jun 4 (transplant) May 21–Jun 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 30–May 28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Mar 5–19 | Apr 30–May 14 (transplant) Apr 23–May 14 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 7–21 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | May 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 16–30 (transplant) | Jul 24–Aug 21 (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 May 14 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Ellsworth 2W, NE (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00252645), elevation 3,909 ft, 6.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: E (estimated from nearby stations).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth 15 NNE, NE | 15 mi | May 12 | Oct 1 |
| Alliance Muni AP, NE | 20 mi | May 22 | Sep 22 |
| Crescent Lake Nwr, NE | 25 mi | May 13 | Sep 29 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 10 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 69351
When is the last frost in 69351?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 69351 is May 14. For a more cautious planting date, use May 28, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 69351?
The average first fall freeze is October 2. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 18.
What hardiness zone is 69351?
ZIP 69351 is in USDA zone 5a (-20 to -15°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 69351 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
69340 69335 69333 69301 Alliance 69148 Lisco 69331 69350 Hyannis 69347 Hay Springs
Other ZIP codes in Sheridan County
69335 69340 69347 69360 69365 All Sheridan County frost dates · Nebraska frost dates
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