When to plant in Omaha, NE
USDA Zone 6aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Omaha, Nebraska — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
In zone 6a, Omaha gardeners can grow many hardy perennials, while the last and first frost still dictate the annual vegetable calendar.
The average last spring frost in Omaha is now 8 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
OMAHA #1 · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Omaha’s own odds, recorded at OMAHA #1.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 17 | May 2 | Apr 12 | Sep 25 | Oct 9 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 6 | Apr 16 | Apr 2 | Oct 2 | Oct 18 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F | Apr 22 | Apr 5 | Mar 23 | Oct 13 | Oct 26 | Nov 8 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Omaha, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Omaha planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Omaha, NE?
On average, the last spring frost in Omaha is around April 16 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Omaha, NE?
In Omaha, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 18 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Omaha in?
Omaha is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. In zone 6a, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Omaha?
Omaha has about 185 frost-free days — a moderate growing season — between the average last spring frost (April 16) and first fall frost (October 18).
When should I plant tomatoes in Omaha?
For Omaha, sow tomatoes indoors about February 19–March 5 and move the seedlings out around April 23, after the last spring frost.
Never miss a window in Omaha
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Omaha’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at OMAHA #1, 10 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Omaha, NE — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00094918. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/nebraska/omaha.