Frost Dates for Lincoln, NE 68532
Lincoln has 23 ZIP codes. The Lincoln, NE frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 23 · First fall frost October 7 · 167 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6a
ZIP 68532 has about 785 people, one of 23 ZIP codes in Lincoln.
Moderate season: 167 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 8–May 8 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans September 23–October 21 (28 days).
Frost probability for 68532
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 8 | April 23 | April 8 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 23 | October 7 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CRETE 4ESE (20.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 167-day season in Lincoln
In Lincoln (167 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 19 | May 7–May 14 | 125 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 125 available after May 7. | Jun 7 |
| Pepper | Mar 12 | May 7–May 14 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 7. | Jun 12 |
| Lettuce | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 209 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 2. | Aug 5 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Peas | — | Feb 26–May 7 | 230 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 230 available after Feb 26. | Jul 27 |
| Zucchini | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Onion | Jan 29 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 26–Apr 16 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Kale | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Broccoli | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Mar 26. | Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 216 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 26. | Aug 5 |
| Radish | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Oct 14. | Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 7 | 272 | overwinter: Plant Oct 7 to Oct 28; harvest the following summer. | Oct 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 19–May 14 | 223 | 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 | 139 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 139 available after Apr 30. | Jun 19 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 9 | May 7–May 7 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 7. | May 25 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 16. | Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 26 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 244 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 216 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 26. | Jul 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 132 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 132 available after May 7. | May 25 |
| Eggplant | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 125 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 125 available after May 7. | Jun 17 |
| Okra | Mar 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 146 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Basil | Mar 19 | May 14–May 14 | 132 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 132 available after May 14. | Jul 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 26–Apr 16 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Parsley | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 167 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 30. | Jul 22 |
| Celery | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 14 | 167 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 30. | Jun 2 |
| Scallions | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 26 | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 181 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 16 |
| Collards | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 7. | Jun 2 |
| Chives | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 26–May 21 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 6 |
| Oregano | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 181 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 29 | Apr 30–May 7 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Sage | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 181 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 12 | Apr 30–May 7 | 181 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 181 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 23 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 11 |
| Cosmos | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
| Lavender | Jan 29 | Apr 23–May 7 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 12 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 21 |
| Melons | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 125 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 125 available after May 7. | Jun 2 |
| Mint | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 188 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 26 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 146 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 30. | Jul 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 132 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 132 available after May 7. | Jun 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 23–May 7 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 23. | Jul 1 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 26 | Apr 30–May 7 | 132 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 132 available after Apr 30. | Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 9 | Apr 30–May 7 | 132 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 132 available after Apr 30. | Jun 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 9 | May 7–May 14 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 16; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 16 |
| Zinnias | Mar 26 | Apr 23–May 7 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Jul 11; both mature before Sep 23. | Jul 11 |
Month by month in Lincoln
| 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 25), Pumpkin (May 25). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 2), Celery (Jun 2), Melons (Jun 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 4), Tomato (Jun 7), Watermelon (Jun 7), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 1), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 6), Pole Beans (Jul 6), Basil (Jul 11), Cosmos (Jul 11), Cucumber (Jul 11), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 5), Carrots (Aug 5), Beets (Aug 6), Dill (Aug 6), Swiss Chard (Aug 6), Calendula (Aug 11), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 4), Spinach (Sep 4), Radish (Sep 5). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 7). First frost around October 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 28). |
| 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 68532)?
The median last spring frost date for Lincoln, NE (ZIP code 68532) 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 8; one in ten it runs past May 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Lincoln, NE?
The median first fall frost date for Lincoln, NE is around October 7. 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 Lincoln, NE?
The frost-free growing season in Lincoln is about 167 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 (167 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 19 and plant out May 7 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 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 14.
When do I plant garlic in Lincoln?
Oct 7 to Oct 28; 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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- When to plant Zucchini in NE
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