When to plant in Papillion, NE
USDA Zone 6aPapillion, Nebraska frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 6a means Papillion sees real winter cold, but a good range of perennials survive; the frost dates above govern when annual vegetables go out.
Frost probability
GRETNA 4NE · 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 Papillion’s own odds, recorded at GRETNA 4NE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 14 | May 1 | Apr 16 | Sep 26 | Oct 8 | Oct 21 |
| 32°F | May 4 | Apr 21 | Apr 5 | Oct 4 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 |
| 28°F | Apr 25 | Apr 10 | Mar 27 | Oct 14 | Oct 27 | Nov 10 |
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 Papillion, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 24 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.
Papillion planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Papillion, NE?
On average, the last spring frost in Papillion is around April 21 (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 Papillion, NE?
In Papillion, 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 Papillion in?
Papillion 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 Papillion?
There are roughly 180 frost-free days in Papillion (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 21 to the first fall frost near October 18.
When should I plant tomatoes in Papillion?
In Papillion, start tomato seeds indoors around February 24–March 10, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 28 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Papillion
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Papillion’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reachFrost dates recorded at GRETNA 4NE, 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 Papillion, NE — Frost Dates & Zone 6a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00253467. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/nebraska/papillion.