When to Plant Onions in Nebraska
In Nebraska, the time to plant onions outside runs from Mar 19 – Apr 2 in Omaha to Apr 17 – May 1 in Sidney. In Omaha, it's Mar 19 – Apr 2. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Apr 16 in Omaha, May 15 in Sidney), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Onions are cold-hardy. Plant sets or transplants early so they grow leaves before long summer days trigger bulbing.
- Start indoors: 10–12 weeks before the last frost.
- Plant outside: 2–4 weeks before the last frost.
Onions planting dates in Nebraska by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance | 5a | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Beatrice | 6a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Bellevue | 6a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Blair | 5b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Chadron | 5a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Columbus | 5b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Crete | 6a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Fremont | 5b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Gering | 5b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Grand Island | 5b | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Gretna | 6a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Hastings | 6a | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Holdrege | 6a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Kearney | 5b | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| La Vista | 6a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Lexington | 5b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Lincoln | 6a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| McCook | 6a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Nebraska City | 6a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Norfolk | 5b | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| North Platte | 5b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Omaha | 6a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Papillion | 6a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Plattsmouth | 6a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Ralston | 6a | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Schuyler | 5b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Scottsbluff | 5b | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Seward | 5b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Sidney | 5b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| South Sioux City | 5a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Wayne | 5a | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| York | 5b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Nebraska, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.