Frost Dates for Lincoln, NE 68517
Lincoln has 23 ZIP codes. The Lincoln, NE frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 27 · First fall frost October 6 · 162 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 68517 has about 415 people, one of 23 ZIP codes in Lincoln.
Moderate season: 162 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 13–May 12 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans September 21–October 21 (30 days).
Frost probability for 68517
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 12 | April 27 | April 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 21 | October 6 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LINCOLN AP (16.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 162-day season in Lincoln
In Lincoln (162 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 23 | May 11–May 18 | 120 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 120 available after May 11. | Jun 6 |
| Pepper | Mar 16 | May 11–May 18 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 11. | Jun 11 |
| Lettuce | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 6. | Aug 4 |
| Cucumber | Apr 6 | May 11–May 18 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 17; both mature before Sep 29. | Jul 17 |
| Peas | — | Mar 2–May 11 | 225 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 225 available after Mar 2. | Jul 26 |
| Zucchini | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Onion | Feb 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 2–Apr 20 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Kale | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Broccoli | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 197 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 197 available after Mar 30. | Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 30. | Aug 4 |
| Radish | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 13. | Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 6 | 267 | overwinter: Plant Oct 6 to Oct 27; harvest the following summer. | Oct 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 23–May 18 | 218 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 134 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 134 available after May 4. | Jun 18 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 13 | May 11–May 11 | 127 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 127 available after May 11. | May 24 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 16 | Apr 20–May 4 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 20. | Jul 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 3 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 211 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 30. | Jul 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 127 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 127 available after May 11. | May 24 |
| Eggplant | Mar 9 | May 11–May 18 | 120 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 120 available after May 11. | Jun 16 |
| Okra | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 141 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Basil | Mar 23 | May 18–May 18 | 127 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 127 available after May 18. | Jul 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 30–Apr 20 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Parsley | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 162 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 162 available after May 4. | Jul 21 |
| Celery | Feb 16 | May 4–May 18 | 162 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 162 available after May 4. | Jun 1 |
| Scallions | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 176 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 15 |
| Collards | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 120 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 120 available after May 11. | Jun 1 |
| Chives | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 2–May 25 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Oregano | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after May 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 2 | May 4–May 11 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after May 4. | — |
| Sage | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after May 4. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 16 | May 4–May 11 | 176 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 176 available after May 4. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Cosmos | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
| Lavender | Feb 2 | Apr 27–May 11 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 16 | Apr 27–May 4 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 20; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 20 |
| Melons | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 120 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 120 available after May 11. | Jun 1 |
| Mint | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 4–May 18 | 141 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 141 available after May 4. | Jul 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 127 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 127 available after May 11. | Jun 3 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after Apr 27. | Jun 30 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 127 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 127 available after May 4. | Jun 11 |
| Watermelon | Apr 13 | May 4–May 11 | 127 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 127 available after May 4. | Jun 6 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 13 | May 11–May 18 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 15 |
| Zinnias | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 11 | 148 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 22. | Jul 10 |
Month by month in Lincoln
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 2), Lavender (Feb 2), Onion (Feb 2), Rosemary (Feb 2), Celery (Feb 16), Collards (Feb 16), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), Sage (Mar 2), Swiss Chard (Mar 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 2), Beets (Mar 2), Dill (Mar 2), Peas (Mar 2), Radish (Mar 2), Spinach (Mar 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 30), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 30), Cabbage (Mar 30), Collards (Mar 30), Kale (Mar 30), Lettuce (Mar 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 23). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 6), Butternut Squash (Apr 13), Cantaloupe (Apr 13), Melons (Apr 13), Pumpkin (Apr 13), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 6), Potatoes (Apr 13), Sunflowers (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 13), Swiss Chard (Apr 13), Bok Choy (Apr 20), Cauliflower (Apr 20), Cosmos (Apr 27), Lavender (Apr 27), +4 more. Last frost around April 27. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 4), Pole Beans (May 4). Transplant from: Celery (May 4), Chives (May 4), Corn (May 4), Okra (May 4), Oregano (May 4), Parsley (May 4), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 24), Pumpkin (May 24). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 1), Celery (Jun 1), Melons (Jun 1), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 3), Tomato (Jun 6), Watermelon (Jun 6), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Jul 5), Pole Beans (Jul 5), Basil (Jul 10), Cosmos (Jul 10), Cucumber (Jul 10), Zinnias (Jul 10), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 4), Carrots (Aug 4), Beets (Aug 5), Dill (Aug 5), Swiss Chard (Aug 5), Calendula (Aug 10), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 3), Spinach (Sep 3), Radish (Sep 4). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 6). First frost around October 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 27). |
| 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 Lincoln, NE (ZIP 68517)?
The median last spring frost date for Lincoln, NE (ZIP code 68517) is around April 27. 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 13; one in ten it runs past May 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Lincoln, NE?
The median first fall frost date for Lincoln, NE is around October 6. 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 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lincoln, NE?
The frost-free growing season in Lincoln is about 162 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 Lincoln (162 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 Lincoln, NE?
Lincoln, NE is in USDA hardiness zone 6a (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 Lincoln, NE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 23 and plant out May 11 in Lincoln. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lincoln?
Two: plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 13.
When do I plant garlic in Lincoln?
Oct 6 to Oct 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Lincoln, NE: month-by-month guide
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