When to Plant Tomatoes in Nebraska
In Nebraska, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 23 – May 7 in Omaha to May 22 – Jun 5 in Sidney. In Omaha, it's Apr 23 – May 7. 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.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Nebraska by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance | 5a | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Beatrice | 6a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Bellevue | 6a | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 |
| Blair | 5b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Chadron | 5a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Columbus | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Crete | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Fremont | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Gering | 5b | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Grand Island | 5b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Gretna | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Hastings | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Holdrege | 6a | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Kearney | 5b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| La Vista | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Lexington | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Lincoln | 6a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| McCook | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Nebraska City | 6a | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Norfolk | 5b | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
| North Platte | 5b | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Omaha | 6a | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Papillion | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Plattsmouth | 6a | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Ralston | 6a | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Schuyler | 5b | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Scottsbluff | 5b | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Seward | 5b | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Sidney | 5b | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| South Sioux City | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Wayne | 5a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| York | 5b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
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 tomatoes.
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