Frost Dates for North Platte, NE 69101
Last spring frost May 6 · First fall frost October 1 · 148 frost-free days · USDA Zone 5b
ZIP 69101 has about 27,200 people.
Moderate season: 148 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 24–May 19 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans September 16–October 17 (31 days).
Frost probability for 69101
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 19 | May 6 | April 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 16 | October 1 | October 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HERSHEY 5 SSE (15.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 148-day season in North Platte
In North Platte (148 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Apr 1 | May 20–May 27 | 106 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 106 available after May 20. | Jun 1 |
| Pepper | Mar 25 | May 20–May 27 | 106 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 106 available after May 20. | Jun 6 |
| Lettuce | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 190 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 15. | Jul 30 |
| Cucumber | Apr 15 | May 20–May 27 | 120 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 120 available after May 20. | Jul 5 |
| Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 12; both mature before Sep 24. | Jul 12 |
| Peas | — | Mar 11–May 20 | 211 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 11. | Jul 21 |
| Zucchini | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 20. | Jul 10 |
| Onion | Feb 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 11–Apr 29 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Kale | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 8. | Jul 6 |
| Cabbage | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 8. | Jul 30 |
| Radish | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 1 | 253 | overwinter: Plant Oct 1 to Oct 22; harvest the following summer. | Oct 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Apr 1–May 27 | 204 | perennial: A perennial: plant Apr 1; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 120 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 120 available after May 13. | Jun 13 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 22 | May 20–May 20 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | — |
| Cauliflower | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 13 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after Apr 29. | Jul 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 11 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 225 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 8. | Jun 30 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 18 | May 20–May 27 | 106 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 106 available after May 20. | Jun 11 |
| Okra | Apr 8 | May 13–May 20 | 127 | two-plantings: Plant May 13 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Basil | Apr 1 | May 27–May 27 | 113 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 113 available after May 27. | Jul 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 8–Apr 29 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Parsley | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 148 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 148 available after May 13. | Jul 16 |
| Celery | Feb 25 | May 13–May 27 | 148 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 148 available after May 13. | May 27 |
| Scallions | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 14 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 8 | Apr 29–May 6 | 162 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 10 |
| Collards | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 22. | Aug 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 106 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 106 available after May 20. | May 27 |
| Chives | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 11–Jun 3 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Oregano | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 162 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 162 available after May 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 11 | May 13–May 20 | 148 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 148 available after May 13. | — |
| Sage | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 162 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 162 available after May 13. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 25 | May 13–May 20 | 162 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 162 available after May 13. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 25 | Apr 22–May 6 | 169 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Cosmos | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 5 |
| Lavender | Feb 11 | May 6–May 20 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 25 | May 6–May 13 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 15; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 15 |
| Melons | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 106 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 106 available after May 20. | May 27 |
| Mint | — | May 6–May 20 | 169 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 169 available after May 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 8 | May 6–May 13 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 10; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 13–May 27 | 127 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 127 available after May 13. | Jun 30 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 113 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 113 available after May 20. | May 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | May 6–May 20 | 134 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 134 available after May 6. | Jun 25 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 11 | May 13–May 20 | 113 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 113 available after May 13. | Jun 6 |
| Watermelon | Apr 22 | May 13–May 20 | 113 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 113 available after May 13. | Jun 1 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 22 | May 20–May 27 | 120 | fits: 55 days to maturity, 120 available after May 20. | Jul 10 |
| Zinnias | Apr 8 | May 6–May 20 | 134 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 5; both mature before Sep 17. | Jul 5 |
Month by month in North Platte
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 11), Lavender (Feb 11), Onion (Feb 11), Rosemary (Feb 11), Celery (Feb 25), Collards (Feb 25), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), Sage (Mar 11), Swiss Chard (Mar 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 11), Beets (Mar 11), Dill (Mar 11), Peas (Mar 11), Radish (Mar 11), Spinach (Mar 11), +1 more. |
| April | Start indoors: Basil (Apr 1), Tomato (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Corn (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 8), Nasturtiums (Apr 8), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 8), Turnip (Apr 8), Carrots (Apr 15), Potatoes (Apr 22). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 8), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 8), Cabbage (Apr 8), Collards (Apr 8), Kale (Apr 8), Lettuce (Apr 8), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Apr 1). |
| May | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (May 6), Beans (May 13), Pole Beans (May 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (May 6), Lavender (May 6), Marigolds (May 6), Mint (May 6), Nasturtiums (May 6), Zinnias (May 6), +23 more. Last frost around May 6. Last sowing dates: 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 North Platte, NE (ZIP 69101)?
The median last spring frost date for North Platte, NE (ZIP code 69101) is around May 6. 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 24; one in ten it runs past May 19.
What is the first fall frost date in North Platte, NE?
The median first fall frost date for North Platte, 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in North Platte, NE?
The frost-free growing season in North Platte is about 148 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 North Platte (148 frost-free days, a moderate season), 34 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 21 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is North Platte, NE?
North Platte, 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 North Platte, NE?
Start tomatoes indoors Apr 1 and plant out May 20 in North Platte. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in North Platte?
Two: plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 8.
When do I plant garlic in North Platte?
Oct 1 to Oct 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Kearney (ZIP 68845) has 156 frost-free days, 8 more than North Platte (ZIP 69101). See Kearney ZIP 68845 frost dates
Nearby and related
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