Bellevue, NE planting zone & frost dates
Bellevue is in USDA hardiness zone 5b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 17 and the first fall frost around October 19, for a growing season of about 183 days.
Planting calendar for Bellevue
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 17) 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 20 – Mar 6 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: May 1 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20 Transplant outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 6 – Mar 20 Transplant outdoors: Apr 24 – May 1 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 19).
Useful for zone 5b 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
As an Amazon Associate, FrostZoneMap earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 3 | Apr 17 | May 1 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Oct 30 | Oct 19 | Oct 4 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 6.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Bellevue
- 68005 zone 5b
- 68123 zone 5b
- 68147 zone 6a
Nearby cities
Questions
What growing zone is Bellevue, NE?
Bellevue is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 5b (average extreme winter low -15°F to -10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 6a.
When is the last frost in Bellevue?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Bellevue is April 17. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 1.
When can I plant tomatoes in Bellevue?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 24 – May 1. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Springfield 7E, NE (USC00258088), 12.8 km (7.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 325 m, based on 11 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.