When to plant onion in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 5a–6a, so the right time to plant onion shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 19 in Omaha to April 13 in North Platte — below are local dates for 17 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 6a | April 16 | October 18 | March 19 – April 2 |
| Lincoln | 6a | April 24 | October 13 | March 27 – April 10 |
| Bellevue | 6a | April 17 | October 19 | March 20 – April 3 |
| Grand Island | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | March 26 – April 9 |
| Kearney | 5b | April 30 | October 10 | April 2 – April 16 |
| Fremont | 5b | April 23 | October 15 | March 26 – April 9 |
| Norfolk | 5b | May 1 | October 4 | April 3 – April 17 |
| Papillion | 6a | April 21 | October 18 | March 24 – April 7 |
Onion in Nebraska: FAQ
When can I plant onion in Nebraska?
Across Nebraska, the time to transplant onion spans roughly March 19 in Omaha to April 13 in North Platte, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the onion planting date vary across Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska publishes 17 cities with their own frost dates, so the right onion planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does onion take to grow in Nebraska?
Onion takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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