Omaha, NE planting zone & frost dates

Omaha is in USDA hardiness zone 6a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 18 and the first fall frost around October 21, for a growing season of about 185 days.

USDA hardiness zone6aavg. extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F

Average last spring frostApril 1890% chance of no frost after April 30

Average first fall frostOctober 2110% chance of frost by October 6

Growing season185 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Omaha

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 18) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Feb 21 – Mar 7 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: May 2 – May 9
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 Transplant outdoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4
Peas	Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Mar 21 – Apr 4
Beans	Sow outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Mar 7 – Mar 21 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 26 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 21).

Useful for zone 6a gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
Cold frame / mini greenhouse — adds weeks to a short season

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Apr 5	Apr 18	Apr 30
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 1	Oct 21	Oct 6

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 6. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 8.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Omaha

68101 zone 6a
68102 zone 6a
68103 zone 6a
68104 zone 6a
68105 zone 6a
68106 zone 6a
68107 zone 6a
68108 zone 6a
68109 zone 6a
68110 zone 6a
68111 zone 6a
68112 zone 5b
68114 zone 6a
68116 zone 6a
68117 zone 6a
68118 zone 6a
68119 zone 5b
68122 zone 5b
68124 zone 6a
68127 zone 6a
68130 zone 6a
68131 zone 6a
68132 zone 6a
68134 zone 6a
68135 zone 6a
68136 zone 6a
68137 zone 6a
68138 zone 6a
68139 zone 6a
68142 zone 6a
68144 zone 6a
68145 zone 6a
68152 zone 5b
68154 zone 6a
68157 zone 6a
68164 zone 6a
68172 zone 6a
68175 zone 6a
68176 zone 6a
68178 zone 6a
68179 zone 6a
68180 zone 6a
68182 zone 6a
68183 zone 6a
68197 zone 6a

Nearby cities

La Vista zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
Bellevue zone 5b, last frost Apr 17
Papillion zone 6a, last frost Apr 17
Chalco zone 6a, last frost Apr 21
Fremont zone 5b, last frost Apr 23
Lincoln zone 6a, last frost Apr 24
Beatrice zone 6a, last frost Apr 24
South Sioux City zone 5a, last frost Apr 29

All cities in Nebraska → · Other zone 6a cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Omaha, NE?

Omaha is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a (average extreme winter low -10°F to -5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 5b.

When is the last frost in Omaha?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Omaha is April 18. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 30.

When can I plant tomatoes in Omaha?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 25 – May 2. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Omaha Eppley Airfield, NE (USW00014942), 6.9 km (4.3 mi) from the city center, elevation 299 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.