When to plant onions in Nebraska

Plant out in Omaha

Mar 5–Mar 26

Across Nebraska the window opens between March 5 and March 30. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Omaha: Jan 22–Feb 19
Plant out, Omaha: Mar 5–Mar 26
Last frost, Omaha: Apr 16

Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Northern gardens need long-day varieties and southern gardens need short-day ones. A wrong pick gives small bulbs.

Onions planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

OmahaMar 5–Mar 26

LincolnMar 13–Apr 3

BellevueMar 6–Mar 27

Grand IslandMar 12–Apr 2

KearneyMar 19–Apr 9

FremontMar 12–Apr 2

NorfolkMar 20–Apr 10

ColumbusMar 10–Mar 31

PapillionMar 10–Mar 31

HastingsMar 11–Apr 1

North PlatteMar 30–Apr 20

Questions

When should I plant onions in Nebraska?

In Omaha, plant out from March 5 to March 26. Across Nebraska the window opens between March 5 and March 30, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Nebraska

Onions in other states

Frost dates for every city in Nebraska