Lincoln, NE planting zone & frost dates

Lincoln is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 24 and the first fall frost around October 13, for a growing season of about 171 days.

USDA hardiness zone6aavg. extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F

Average last spring frostApril 2490% chance of no frost after May 7

Average first fall frostOctober 1310% chance of frost by September 29

Growing season171 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Lincoln

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 24) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Feb 27 – Mar 13 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: May 8 – May 15
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 13 – Feb 27 Transplant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 27 – Apr 10
Beans	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: May 1 – May 8
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 13 – Mar 27 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 18 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 13).

Useful for zone 6a gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 10	Apr 24	May 7
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Oct 24	Oct 13	Sep 29

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before September 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 15.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Lincoln

68501 zone 6a
68502 zone 6a
68503 zone 6a
68504 zone 6a
68505 zone 6a
68506 zone 6a
68507 zone 6a
68508 zone 6a
68509 zone 6a
68510 zone 6a
68512 zone 6a
68514 zone 5b
68516 zone 6a
68517 zone 6a
68520 zone 6a
68521 zone 6a
68522 zone 6a
68523 zone 6a
68524 zone 6a
68526 zone 6a
68527 zone 5b
68528 zone 6a
68529 zone 6a
68531 zone 6a
68532 zone 6a
68542 zone 6a
68544 zone 6a

Nearby cities

Beatrice zone 6a, last frost Apr 24
Chalco zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
Fremont zone 5b, last frost Apr 23
Papillion zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
La Vista zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
Bellevue zone 5b, last frost Apr 17
Omaha zone 6a, last frost Apr 18
Columbus zone 5b, last frost Apr 21

All cities in Nebraska → · Other zone 6a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Lincoln, NE?

Lincoln is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 5b.

When is the last frost in Lincoln?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Lincoln is April 24. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.

When can I plant tomatoes in Lincoln?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around May 1 – May 8. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Lincoln Muni Ap, NE (USW00014939), 8.8 km (5.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 363 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.