Auburn 5 ESE, NE Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Auburn 5 ESE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 24
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 10
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
169 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 5b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 10 Apr 24 May 6
First fall frost Oct 23 Oct 10 Sep 25
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 15 · first Oct 20

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the AUBURN 5 ESE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Auburn 5 ESE

Computed from Auburn 5 ESE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 1 – May 8
🫑 Peppers Feb 13 – Feb 27 May 8 – May 15
🥬 Lettuce Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 24
🫛 Peas Mar 13 – Mar 27
🥕 Carrots Apr 3 – Apr 24
🥦 Broccoli Mar 6 – Mar 20 Apr 3 – Apr 17
🥬 Kale Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Mar 27 – Apr 10
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 27 – Apr 3 May 1 – May 8 May 1 – May 8
🥒 Zucchini Mar 27 – Apr 3 May 1 – May 8 May 1 – May 8
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) May 1 – May 8
🌽 Sweet Corn May 1 – May 8
🌿 Basil Mar 13 – Mar 27 May 1 – May 8 May 8 – May 15
🧄 Garlic Fall: Aug 29 – Sep 26

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Auburn 5 ESE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Auburn 5 ESE

Roughly 169 frost-free days gives Auburn 5 ESE gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 24; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 10 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Auburn 5 ESE, NE?

The average last spring frost in Auburn 5 ESE is around Apr 24, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Auburn 5 ESE, NE?

The average first fall frost in Auburn 5 ESE arrives around Oct 10. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Auburn 5 ESE?

About 169 frost-free days on average, from Apr 24 to Oct 10. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Auburn 5 ESE in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.