Omaha, NE Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Omaha garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 21
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
186 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
5b
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 5 Apr 18 Apr 30
First fall frost Nov 1 Oct 21 Oct 6
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 8 · first Oct 30

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Omaha Eppley Airfield station (6 km from central Omaha). "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Omaha

Computed from Omaha's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-5 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 21 – Mar 7 Apr 25 – May 2
🫑 Peppers Feb 7 – Feb 21 May 2 – May 9
🥬 Lettuce Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4 Mar 21 – Apr 18
🫛 Peas Mar 7 – Mar 21
🥕 Carrots Mar 28 – Apr 18
🥦 Broccoli Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥬 Kale Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4 Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 21 – Mar 28 Apr 25 – May 2 Apr 25 – May 2
🥒 Zucchini Mar 21 – Mar 28 Apr 25 – May 2 Apr 25 – May 2
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 25 – May 2
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 25 – May 2
🌿 Basil Mar 7 – Mar 21 Apr 25 – May 2 May 2 – May 9
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 9 – Oct 7

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Omaha's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Omaha

Roughly 186 frost-free days gives Omaha gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 18; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 21 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Omaha, NE?

The average last spring frost in Omaha is around Apr 18, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Omaha, NE?

The average first fall frost in Omaha arrives around Oct 21. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Omaha?

About 186 frost-free days on average, from Apr 18 to Oct 21. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Omaha in?

USDA zone 5b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.