When to plant in Norfolk, NE
USDA Zone 5bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Norfolk, Nebraska — all computed from Norfolk's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 5b means Norfolk sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
NORFOLK 4W · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Norfolk’s own odds, recorded at NORFOLK 4W.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 24 | May 9 | Apr 28 | Sep 15 | Sep 27 | Oct 8 |
| 32°F | May 16 | May 1 | Apr 16 | Sep 22 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 |
| 28°F | May 5 | Apr 21 | Apr 6 | Sep 28 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Norfolk, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 19 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Norfolk planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Norfolk, NE?
Plan for the last spring frost in Norfolk around May 1 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Norfolk, NE?
The first fall frost in Norfolk typically arrives around October 4 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Norfolk in?
Norfolk is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. In zone 5b, winters are cold — pick cold-hardy varieties and protect tender crops.
How long is the growing season in Norfolk?
There are roughly 156 frost-free days in Norfolk (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around May 1 to the first fall frost near October 4.
When should I plant tomatoes in Norfolk?
In Norfolk, start tomato seeds indoors around March 6–March 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around May 8 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Norfolk
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Norfolk’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Columbus · 66 km
- Vermillion · 93 km
- Yankton · 96 km
- South Sioux City · 96 km
- Sioux City · 100 km
- Fremont · 102 km
- Le Mars · 133 km
- Omaha · 142 km
Frost dates recorded at NORFOLK 4W, 5 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Norfolk, NE — Frost Dates & Zone 5b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00255997. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/nebraska/norfolk.