nebraska · Crop calendar

nebraska planting calendar.

Spring and fall planting windows for 18 crops in nebraska. Extension-verified where available, USDA-sourced otherwise.

corn
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Corn is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 28 earliest · May 5–May 26 ideal · June 9 latest
Wait for 50°F at 2-inch soil depth — typically 1 week after last frost in northern states; close to last frost in southern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
soybeans
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Soybeans is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 5 earliest · May 19–June 9 ideal · June 24 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth. Soybeans planted into colder soil emerge slowly and are vulnerable to seed rot.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_wheat
primary
Winter Wheat is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
September 14 earliest · September 28–October 19 ideal · November 2 latest
Plant 6-8 weeks before first hard freeze for adequate fall tillering. Hessian fly free dates often dictate exact timing.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cotton
trial
Cotton is at the edge of viable range in Nebraska — short-season varieties, season extension, or specialty/trial-only production.
Spring
May 12 earliest · May 19–June 9 ideal · June 30 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth, sustained for 3-5 days. Cotton emerges very slowly below this threshold.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
grain_sorghum
secondary
Grain Sorghum is grown in Nebraska but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Spring
May 19 earliest · May 26–June 23 ideal · July 14 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp. Sorghum is heat-loving and tolerates planting up to 2 months after corn.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sunflowers
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Sunflowers is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 28 earliest · May 12–June 9 ideal · June 30 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Sunflowers tolerate light frost in seedling stage but not after stem elongation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
tomatoes
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Tomatoes is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 12 earliest · May 19–June 9 ideal · June 30 latest
Transplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Garden centers typically have transplants 1-2 weeks before this window.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sweet_corn
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Sweet Corn is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 28 earliest · May 5–June 9 ideal · June 30 latest
Wait for 55°F at 2-inch depth. Succession plant every 10-14 days for extended harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
potatoes
primary
Potatoes is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 14 earliest · April 21–May 12 ideal · May 26 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Fall
July 7 earliest · July 22–August 6 ideal · August 21 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
peppers
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Peppers is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 19 earliest · May 26–June 16 ideal · July 7 latest
Transplant when soil reaches 65°F at 2-inch depth — typically 2 weeks after last frost. Peppers are even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cucumbers
primary
Cucumbers is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 12 earliest · May 19–June 23 ideal · July 14 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F at 2-inch depth. Cool soils slow germination dramatically.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
pumpkins
primary
Pumpkins is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 19 earliest · May 26–June 23 ideal · July 7 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F. Plan harvest date first — count back 90-110 days from desired harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
alfalfa
primary
Alfalfa is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 14 earliest · April 28–May 26 ideal · June 16 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Fall
July 22 earliest · August 6–August 21 ideal · September 5 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
clover
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Clover is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 31 earliest · April 14–May 12 ideal · June 2 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Fall
July 22 earliest · August 6–August 21 ideal · September 5 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
brassicas
primary
Brassicas is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
July 7 earliest · July 22–August 6 ideal · August 21 latest
Late summer planting for fall food plot — 60-90 days before first hard frost provides peak forage value before deer season.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_rye
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Winter Rye is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
September 14 earliest · September 28–October 19 ideal · November 2 latest
Most cold-tolerant cereal — germinates at 38°F. Plant 4-6 weeks before first hard freeze for maximum fall establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cereal_oats
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Cereal Oats is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 14 earliest · April 28–May 26 ideal · June 16 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Fall
July 22 earliest · August 6–August 21 ideal · September 7 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
buckwheat
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Buckwheat is widely grown in Nebraska — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
June 9 earliest · June 30–July 28 ideal · August 18 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Plant summer for 70-90 day cover crop or food plot rotation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

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