Frost Dates for Blair, NE 68008
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 10 · 170 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 68008 has about 12,800 people.
Moderate season: 170 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 9–May 7 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 23–October 26 (33 days).
Frost probability for 68008
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 7 | April 23 | April 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 23 | October 10 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at TEKAMAH (27.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 170-day season in Blair
In Blair (170 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 19 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 2. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 233 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 233 available after Feb 26. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 205 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 26. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 26. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 275 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 226 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 30. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | May 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 16. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 26. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 135 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | May 28 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 170 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 30. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 170 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 30. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 219 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 170 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 149 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 135 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 156 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 23. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after Apr 30. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after Apr 30. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Blair
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 29), Lavender (Jan 29), Onion (Jan 29), Rosemary (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 12), Collards (Feb 12), Kale (Feb 12), Oregano (Feb 12), Parsley (Feb 12), Scallions (Feb 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 26), Beets (Feb 26), Dill (Feb 26), Peas (Feb 26), Radish (Feb 26), Spinach (Feb 26). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 5), Calendula (Mar 12), Cauliflower (Mar 12), Marigolds (Mar 12), Pepper (Mar 12), Basil (Mar 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 12), Cilantro (Mar 26), Turnip (Mar 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 26), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 26), Cabbage (Mar 26), Collards (Mar 26), Kale (Mar 26), Lettuce (Mar 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 19). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 2), Butternut Squash (Apr 9), Cantaloupe (Apr 9), Melons (Apr 9), Pumpkin (Apr 9), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 2), Potatoes (Apr 9), Sunflowers (Apr 23), Beans (Apr 30), Pole Beans (Apr 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 9), Swiss Chard (Apr 9), Bok Choy (Apr 16), Cauliflower (Apr 16), Cosmos (Apr 23), Lavender (Apr 23), +15 more. Last frost around April 23. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 7), Cantaloupe (May 7), Cucumber (May 7), Eggplant (May 7), Melons (May 7), Pepper (May 7), +6 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Blair, NE (ZIP 68008)?
The median last spring frost date for Blair, NE (ZIP code 68008) is around April 23. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 9; one in ten it runs past May 7.
What is the first fall frost date in Blair, NE?
The median first fall frost date for Blair, NE is around October 10. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Blair, NE?
The frost-free growing season in Blair is about 170 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Blair (170 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Blair, NE?
Blair, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 5b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Blair, NE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 19 and plant out May 7 in Blair. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Blair?
Two: plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Blair?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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