Nebraska Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Nebraska gardeners.

Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b

The Short Answer

Nebraska spans USDA zones 4a through 5b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Northern/Western Nebraska has an average last frost around May 5 - May 20, while Eastern Nebraska sees its last frost around Apr 25 - May 10. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Nebraska Frost Dates by Region

Continental climate. Hot summers, cold winters. Adequate growing season in east. Drier in west — irrigation may be needed.

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern/Western Nebraska	4a, 4b	May 5 - May 20	Sep 20 - Oct 5
Eastern Nebraska	5a, 5b	Apr 25 - May 10	Oct 1 - Oct 15

Soil & Growing Conditions

Rich prairie soils in east. Sandy soils in Sandhills region. Loess deposits along Missouri River.

What to Plant in Nebraska

Nebraska's short growing season rewards strategic planning. Cold-hardy crops are your strength, and warm-season crops need indoor starting. These are the best performers for Nebraska's climate:

Top Picks for Nebraska

Kale Garlic Potatoes Peas Carrots Lettuce Broccoli Beets Radishes Spinach Beans (Green/Snap)Cabbage Daffodils

Worth the Effort

With indoor starting and season extension, Nebraska gardeners also grow excellent tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and sunflowers. The long summer daylight hours drive faster growth than you'd expect:

Tomatoes Peppers Cucumbers Squash (Summer)Basil Sunflowers Zinnias Corn (Sweet)

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026