Frost Dates for Grand Island, NE 68803
Grand Island has 2 ZIP codes. The Grand Island, NE frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 26 · First fall frost October 8 · 165 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 68803 has about 25,500 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Grand Island.
Moderate season: 165 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 10 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans September 23–October 22 (29 days).
Frost probability for 68803
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 10 | April 26 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 23 | October 8 | October 22 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GRAND IS CTR NE AP (8.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 165-day season in Grand Island
In Grand Island (165 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 22 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 8 |
| Pepper | Mar 15 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 13 |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 5. | Aug 6 |
| Cucumber | Apr 5 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Oct 1. | Jul 19 |
| Peas | — | Mar 1–May 10 | 228 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 1. | Jul 28 |
| Zucchini | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Onion | Feb 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 200 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 1–Apr 19 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Kale | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Mar 29. | Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 29. | Aug 6 |
| Radish | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Oct 15. | Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 8 | 270 | overwinter: Plant Oct 8 to Oct 29; harvest the following summer. | Oct 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 22–May 17 | 221 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 137 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 137 available after May 3. | Jun 20 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 12 | May 10–May 10 | 130 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 130 available after May 10. | May 26 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 15 | Apr 19–May 3 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 19. | Jul 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 1 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 29. | Jul 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 130 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 130 available after May 10. | May 26 |
| Eggplant | Mar 8 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 18 |
| Okra | Mar 29 | May 3–May 10 | 144 | two-plantings: Plant May 3 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Basil | Mar 22 | May 17–May 17 | 130 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 130 available after May 17. | Jul 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 29–Apr 19 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Parsley | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 165 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 165 available after May 3. | Jul 23 |
| Celery | Feb 15 | May 3–May 17 | 165 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 165 available after May 3. | Jun 3 |
| Scallions | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 29 | Apr 19–Apr 26 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 17 |
| Collards | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 3 |
| Chives | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 1–May 24 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 7 |
| Oregano | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 1 | May 3–May 10 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after May 3. | — |
| Sage | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 15 | May 3–May 10 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after May 3. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 26 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 12 |
| Cosmos | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Lavender | Feb 1 | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 15 | Apr 26–May 3 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 22 |
| Melons | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 123 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 123 available after May 10. | Jun 3 |
| Mint | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 3 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 3–May 17 | 144 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 144 available after May 3. | Jul 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 130 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 130 available after May 10. | Jun 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 26–May 10 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 26. | Jul 2 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 1 | May 3–May 10 | 130 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 130 available after May 3. | Jun 13 |
| Watermelon | Apr 12 | May 3–May 10 | 130 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 130 available after May 3. | Jun 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 12 | May 10–May 17 | 137 | two-plantings: Plant May 10 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 17 |
| Zinnias | Mar 29 | Apr 26–May 10 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 26 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
Month by month in Grand Island
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 1), Lavender (Feb 1), Onion (Feb 1), Rosemary (Feb 1), Celery (Feb 15), Collards (Feb 15), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), Sage (Mar 1), Swiss Chard (Mar 1), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 1), Beets (Mar 1), Dill (Mar 1), Peas (Mar 1), Radish (Mar 1), Spinach (Mar 1), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 29), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 29), Cabbage (Mar 29), Collards (Mar 29), Kale (Mar 29), Lettuce (Mar 29), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 22). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 5), Butternut Squash (Apr 12), Cantaloupe (Apr 12), Melons (Apr 12), Pumpkin (Apr 12), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 5), Potatoes (Apr 12), Sunflowers (Apr 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 12), Swiss Chard (Apr 12), Bok Choy (Apr 19), Cauliflower (Apr 19), Cosmos (Apr 26), Lavender (Apr 26), +4 more. Last frost around April 26. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 3), Pole Beans (May 3). Transplant from: Celery (May 3), Chives (May 3), Corn (May 3), Okra (May 3), Oregano (May 3), Parsley (May 3), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 26), Pumpkin (May 26). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 3), Celery (Jun 3), Melons (Jun 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 5), Tomato (Jun 8), Watermelon (Jun 8), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 7), Pole Beans (Jul 7), Basil (Jul 12), Cosmos (Jul 12), Cucumber (Jul 12), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 6), Carrots (Aug 6), Beets (Aug 7), Dill (Aug 7), Swiss Chard (Aug 7), Calendula (Aug 12), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 5), Spinach (Sep 5), Radish (Sep 6). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 8). First frost around October 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 29). |
| 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 Grand Island, NE (ZIP 68803)?
The median last spring frost date for Grand Island, NE (ZIP code 68803) is around April 26. 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 12; one in ten it runs past May 10.
What is the first fall frost date in Grand Island, NE?
The median first fall frost date for Grand Island, NE is around October 8. 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 Grand Island, NE?
The frost-free growing season in Grand Island is about 165 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 Grand Island (165 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Grand Island, NE?
Grand Island, 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 Grand Island, NE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 22 and plant out May 10 in Grand Island. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Grand Island?
Two: plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 15.
When do I plant garlic in Grand Island?
Oct 8 to Oct 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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