When to Plant Potatoes in Nebraska
In Nebraska, the time to plant potatoes outside runs from Mar 26 – Apr 9 in Omaha to Apr 24 – May 8 in Sidney. In Omaha, it's Mar 26 – Apr 9. 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.
Plant seed potatoes a few weeks before the last frost; cover any shoots if a late frost threatens.
- Plant outside: 1–3 weeks before the last frost.
Potatoes planting dates in Nebraska by city
| City | Zone | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|
| Alliance | 5a | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Beatrice | 6a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Bellevue | 6a | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Blair | 5b | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Chadron | 5a | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Columbus | 5b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Crete | 6a | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Fremont | 5b | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Gering | 5b | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Grand Island | 5b | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Gretna | 6a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Hastings | 6a | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Holdrege | 6a | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Kearney | 5b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| La Vista | 6a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Lexington | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Lincoln | 6a | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| McCook | 6a | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Nebraska City | 6a | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Norfolk | 5b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| North Platte | 5b | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Omaha | 6a | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Papillion | 6a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Plattsmouth | 6a | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Ralston | 6a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Schuyler | 5b | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Scottsbluff | 5b | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Seward | 5b | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Sidney | 5b | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| South Sioux City | 5a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Wayne | 5a | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| York | 5b | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
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 potatoes.
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