Frost Dates for Norfolk, NE 68701
Last spring frost May 1 · First fall frost October 1 · 153 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 68701 has about 31,400 people.
Moderate season: 153 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 16–May 17 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans September 17–October 15 (28 days).
Frost probability for 68701
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | May 1 | April 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 17 | October 1 | October 15 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at STANTON (19.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 153-day season in Norfolk
In Norfolk (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 27 | May 15–May 22 | 111 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | Jun 1 |
| Pepper | Mar 20 | May 15–May 22 | 111 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | Jun 6 |
| Lettuce | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 195 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 195 available after Apr 10. | Jul 30 |
| Cucumber | Apr 10 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 125 available after May 15. | Jul 5 |
| Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Peas | — | Mar 6–May 15 | 216 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 216 available after Mar 6. | Jul 21 |
| Zucchini | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Onion | Feb 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 188 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 6–Apr 24 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Kale | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 3. | Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jul 30 |
| Radish | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 1 | 258 | overwinter: Plant Oct 1 to Oct 22; harvest the following summer. | Oct 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 27–May 22 | 209 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 125 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 125 available after May 8. | Jun 13 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 17 | May 15–May 15 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | May 19 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 8 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 24. | Jul 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 230 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 3. | Jun 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | May 19 |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 | May 15–May 22 | 111 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | Jun 11 |
| Okra | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 132 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Basil | Mar 27 | May 22–May 22 | 118 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 118 available after May 22. | Jul 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 3–Apr 24 | 188 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Parsley | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 153 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 153 available after May 8. | Jul 16 |
| Celery | Feb 20 | May 8–May 22 | 153 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 153 available after May 8. | May 27 |
| Scallions | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Collards | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | May 27 |
| Chives | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 6–May 29 | 216 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Oregano | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 6 | May 8–May 15 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after May 8. | — |
| Sage | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 20 | May 8–May 15 | 167 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 167 available after May 8. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Cosmos | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 5 |
| Lavender | Feb 6 | May 1–May 15 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 20 | May 1–May 8 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Melons | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 111 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 111 available after May 15. | May 27 |
| Mint | — | May 1–May 15 | 174 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 174 available after May 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 8–May 22 | 132 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 132 available after May 8. | Jun 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 118 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 118 available after May 15. | May 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 1–May 15 | 139 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 139 available after May 1. | Jun 25 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 118 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8. | Jun 6 |
| Watermelon | Apr 17 | May 8–May 15 | 118 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 118 available after May 8. | Jun 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 17 | May 15–May 22 | 125 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Zinnias | Apr 3 | May 1–May 15 | 139 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 5 |
Month by month in Norfolk
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 6), Lavender (Feb 6), Onion (Feb 6), Rosemary (Feb 6), Celery (Feb 20), Collards (Feb 20), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), Sage (Mar 6), Swiss Chard (Mar 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 6), Beets (Mar 6), Dill (Mar 6), Peas (Mar 6), Radish (Mar 6), Spinach (Mar 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 27). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 3), Turnip (Apr 3), Carrots (Apr 10), Potatoes (Apr 17). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 3), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 3), Cabbage (Apr 3), Collards (Apr 3), Kale (Apr 3), Lettuce (Apr 3), +6 more. |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 1), Beans (May 8), Pole Beans (May 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 1), Lavender (May 1), Marigolds (May 1), Mint (May 1), Nasturtiums (May 1), Zinnias (May 1), +23 more. Last frost around May 1. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 19), Pumpkin (May 19), Cantaloupe (May 27), Celery (May 27), Melons (May 27), Spaghetti Squash (May 29). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jun 1), Watermelon (Jun 1), Pepper (Jun 6), Tomatillos (Jun 6), Eggplant (Jun 11), Corn (Jun 13), +3 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Basil (Jul 5), Cosmos (Jul 5), Cucumber (Jul 5), Zinnias (Jul 5), Broccoli (Jul 6), Nasturtiums (Jul 10), +13 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Aug 5), Cilantro (Aug 5), Collards (Aug 9), Scallions (Aug 9), Bok Choy (Aug 10), Lettuce (Aug 10), +6 more. |
| September | First fall frost approaching (around October 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 1). First frost around October 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 22). |
| 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 Norfolk, NE (ZIP 68701)?
The median last spring frost date for Norfolk, NE (ZIP code 68701) is around May 1. 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 16; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Norfolk, NE?
The median first fall frost date for Norfolk, NE is around October 1. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Norfolk, NE?
The frost-free growing season in Norfolk is about 153 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 Norfolk (153 frost-free days, a moderate season), 32 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 23 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Norfolk, NE?
Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, NE?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 27 and plant out May 15 in Norfolk. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Norfolk?
Two: plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.
When do I plant garlic in Norfolk?
Oct 1 to Oct 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Columbus (ZIP 68601) has 161 frost-free days, 8 more than Norfolk (ZIP 68701). See Columbus ZIP 68601 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Columbus, NE 68601 (39.3 mi)
- Frost dates for South Sioux City, NE 68776 (59.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Vermillion, SD 57069 (61.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Yankton, SD 57078 (61.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Fremont, NE 68025 (63.1 mi)
- When to plant in NE
- When to plant Peppers in NE
- When to plant Cucumbers in NE
- When to plant Zucchini in NE
- When to plant Butternut Squash in NE
- When to plant Basil in NE
- When to plant Sweet Corn in NE
- Look up another ZIP