FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Nebraska

In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors Mar 27 – Apr 10. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Elkhorn and as late as Apr 13 in Alliance.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 90–120 days

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Onions Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
OmahaFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
LincolnFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
BellevueFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
Grand IslandFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
KearneyFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
FremontFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
HastingsFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
NorfolkFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
North PlatteFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19
ColumbusFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
PapillionFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
La VistaFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
ScottsbluffFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24
South Sioux CityFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
BeatriceFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
ChalcoFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
LexingtonFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
AllianceMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 13 – Apr 27
GeringFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24
ElkhornFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Nebraska cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Nebraska cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Nebraska?

In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Feb 13 – Feb 27, then transplant outdoors Mar 27 – Apr 10. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Elkhorn and as late as Apr 13 in Alliance.

When is the last frost in Nebraska?

The average last spring frost in Nebraska ranges from April 15 in Elkhorn to May 11 in Alliance, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do onions take to grow?

Onions typically take 90–120 days from planting to harvest. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Other Crops in Nebraska

When to plant onions in other states

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