When to Plant Peppers in Nebraska
In Nebraska, the time to transplant peppers outside runs from Apr 30 – May 14 in Omaha to May 29 – Jun 12 in Sidney. In Omaha, it's Apr 30 – May 14. 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.
Peppers need even more warmth than tomatoes. Start them early indoors and set them out once the soil has warmed, two to four weeks after the last frost.
- Start indoors: 8–10 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 2–4 weeks after the last frost.
Peppers planting dates in Nebraska by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance | 5a | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Beatrice | 6a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Bellevue | 6a | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Blair | 5b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Chadron | 5a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| Columbus | 5b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Crete | 6a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Fremont | 5b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Gering | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Grand Island | 5b | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Gretna | 6a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Hastings | 6a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Holdrege | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | May 16 – May 30 |
| Kearney | 5b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 28 |
| La Vista | 6a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Lexington | 5b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Lincoln | 6a | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | May 8 – May 22 |
| McCook | 6a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Nebraska City | 6a | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Norfolk | 5b | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | May 15 – May 29 |
| North Platte | 5b | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | May 25 – Jun 8 |
| Omaha | 6a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Papillion | 6a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Plattsmouth | 6a | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Ralston | 6a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Schuyler | 5b | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Scottsbluff | 5b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Seward | 5b | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Sidney | 5b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 29 – Jun 12 |
| South Sioux City | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| Wayne | 5a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | May 13 – May 27 |
| York | 5b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | May 6 – May 20 |
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 peppers.
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