Frost dates for ZIP 68961 (Nelson, 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, Superior, NE (12 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 1050% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)162 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 17, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
4-inch depth
No soil station with a fresh reading within 62 miles.
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 68961 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
No soil reading near this ZIP. Typical extension timing for your region: spring 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.
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 15 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 29 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | May 10 |
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) | Sep 26 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 10 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Oct 22 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | May 7 | Oct 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 29 | Oct 10 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Apr 19 | Oct 19 |
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 68961
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 29) and first fall frost (Oct 10). 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 | Mar 4–18 | May 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Feb 18–Mar 4 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Feb 18–Mar 4 | May 13–27 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Mar 4–18 | May 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Mar 4–18 | Apr 8–29 (transplant) Apr 1–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (transplant) Aug 1–29 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Mar 18–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–Sep 5 (sowing) |
| Kale | Mar 4–18 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) Jul 4–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Collards | Mar 4–18 | Apr 1–29 (transplant) Apr 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 15 (transplant) Jul 4–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) | Jul 4–Aug 1 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Feb 4–18 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 11 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 4–18 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Apr 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Apr 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Mar 18–Apr 1 | Apr 15–May 6 (transplant) Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Apr 1–29 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Apr 8–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Mar 25–May 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 29–Sep 12 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Apr 1–22 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Mar 4–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Jul 18–Aug 1 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Feb 4–18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Mar 18–Apr 15 (sow outdoors) | Aug 1–15 (sowing) |
| Leek | Feb 4–18 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Mar 18–Apr 1 (transplant) | Aug 29–Sep 26 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jun 20–Jul 4 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | May 20–Jun 3 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | May 20–Jun 10 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Apr 1–8 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Apr 1–8 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Apr 1–8 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Apr 1–8 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Apr 1–8 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Mar 18–Apr 1 | May 13–27 (transplant) May 13–27 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Feb 4–18 | May 6–13 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Mar 18–Apr 1 | May 6–20 (transplant) May 6–20 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Apr 15–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Feb 18–Mar 4 | Apr 15–29 (transplant) Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | Aug 15–29 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 29–May 13 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Aug 1–29 (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 29 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Superior, NE (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00258320), elevation 1,512 ft, 12.5 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lovewell Dam, KS | 21 mi | Apr 20 | Oct 19 |
| Clay Ctr, NE | 22 mi | Apr 19 | Oct 20 |
| Hebron, NE | 24 mi | Apr 24 | Oct 15 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 10 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 68961
When is the last frost in 68961?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 68961 is April 29. For a more cautious planting date, use May 10, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 68961?
The average first fall freeze is October 10. In 1 year in 10 it comes by September 26.
What hardiness zone is 68961?
ZIP 68961 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 68961 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
68964 Oak 68978 Superior 68934 Deweese 68974 Ruskin 68957 Lawrence 68935 Edgar 68335 Davenport 68938 Fairfield
Other ZIP codes in Nuckolls County
68934 68943 68957 68964 68974 68978 All Nuckolls County frost dates · Nebraska frost dates
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