Fall in zone 6aPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 68436 (Shickley, NE)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Geneva, NE (10 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2050% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)178 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone6a-10 to -5°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
51°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 51°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lincoln 11 SW (50 mi).
4-inch depth
54°F 50–55°F
24-hour average · latest 54°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Lincoln 11 SW (50 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 68436 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 54°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent window is mostly past. Next: spring, when soil reaches 50°F (typically mid-April to early May).
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: North (cool-season). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Kentucky bluegrass (cool-season): Early fall: Around Labor Day (late August–September); Late fall: Late October–November, before the ground freezes; Late spring: Optional around Memorial Day. Avoid: Early-spring and midsummer feeding (pushes top growth, favors crabgrass).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 18: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Apr 6 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 20 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 3 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 2 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 18 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 30 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 30 | Oct 9 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 20 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 68436
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 18). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 20 (transplant) Mar 23–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (transplant) Aug 9–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 9–30 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 13 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) Jul 12–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 20 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 23 (transplant) Jul 12–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 9–23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 12–Aug 9 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 19 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 23–Mar 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 20 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 9–23 | Apr 6–27 (transplant) Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 23–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 30–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 16–Apr 27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 6–20 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 23–Apr 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 23–Mar 23 (sow outdoors) | Jul 26–Aug 9 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 9–Apr 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 9–23 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 9–23 (transplant) | Sep 6–Oct 4 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Jun 28–Jul 12 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 11–25 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 11–Jun 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 23–30 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 23–30 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 23–30 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 23–30 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 23–30 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 9–23 | May 4–18 (transplant) May 4–18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 26–Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 9–23 | Apr 27–May 11 (transplant) Apr 27–May 11 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 6–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 9–23 | Apr 6–20 (transplant) Mar 30–Apr 20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 23–Sep 6 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 20–May 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 23–Apr 6 (transplant) | Aug 9–Sep 6 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Nebraska has a university or garden plant program: GreatPlants. Plant frost-tender annuals after April 20 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Geneva, NE (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00253175), elevation 1,630 ft, 10.3 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont, NE | 16 mi | Apr 25 | Oct 14 |
| Clay Ctr, NE | 17 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 20 |
| Hebron, NE | 20 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 6 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 68436
When is the last frost in 68436?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 68436 is April 20. For a more cautious planting date, use May 3, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 68436?
The average first fall freeze is October 18. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 2.
What hardiness zone is 68436?
ZIP 68436 is in USDA zone 6a (-10 to -5°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 68436 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
68452 Ong 68444 Strang 68361 Geneva 68335 Davenport 68326 Carleton 68935 Edgar 68322 Bruning 68979 Sutton
Other ZIP codes in Fillmore County
68351 68354 68361 68365 68406 68416 68444 All Fillmore County frost dates · Nebraska frost dates
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