When to plant watermelon in Nebraska

Watermelon
Plant out in Omaha
Apr 30–May 14

Across Nebraska the window opens between April 30 and May 25. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Omaha
Mar 19–Mar 26
Plant out, Omaha
Apr 30–May 14
Sow outdoors, Omaha
Apr 30–May 14
Last sowing for a harvest
Jun 26
Last frost, Omaha
Apr 16

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. In short-season areas, start seedlings indoors and pick an early variety.

Watermelon planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
OmahaApr 30–May 14
LincolnMay 8–May 22
BellevueMay 1–May 15
Grand IslandMay 7–May 21
KearneyMay 14–May 28
FremontMay 7–May 21
NorfolkMay 15–May 29
ColumbusMay 5–May 19
PapillionMay 5–May 19
HastingsMay 6–May 20
North PlatteMay 25–Jun 8

Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Nebraska?

In Omaha, plant out from April 30 to May 14. Across Nebraska the window opens between April 30 and May 25, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 3–4 weeks before the last frost; plant out 2–4 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors 2–4 weeks after the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Nebraska

Watermelon in other states

Frost dates for every city in Nebraska