When to Plant Tomatoes in Nebraska

In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13, then transplant outdoors May 1 – May 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 22 in Elkhorn and as late as May 18 in Alliance.

Method Start indoors, then transplant

Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

City	Start indoors	Transplant
Omaha	Feb 21 – Mar 7	Apr 25 – May 2
Lincoln	Feb 27 – Mar 13	May 1 – May 8
Bellevue	Feb 20 – Mar 6	Apr 24 – May 1
Grand Island	Feb 26 – Mar 12	Apr 30 – May 7
Kearney	Mar 5 – Mar 19	May 7 – May 14
Fremont	Feb 26 – Mar 12	Apr 30 – May 7
Hastings	Feb 25 – Mar 11	Apr 29 – May 6
Norfolk	Mar 5 – Mar 19	May 7 – May 14
North Platte	Mar 8 – Mar 22	May 10 – May 17
Columbus	Feb 24 – Mar 10	Apr 28 – May 5
Papillion	Feb 20 – Mar 6	Apr 24 – May 1
La Vista	Feb 20 – Mar 6	Apr 24 – May 1
Scottsbluff	Mar 13 – Mar 27	May 15 – May 22
South Sioux City	Mar 4 – Mar 18	May 6 – May 13
Beatrice	Feb 27 – Mar 13	May 1 – May 8
Chalco	Feb 24 – Mar 10	Apr 28 – May 5
Lexington	Mar 1 – Mar 15	May 3 – May 10
Alliance	Mar 16 – Mar 30	May 18 – May 25
Gering	Mar 13 – Mar 27	May 15 – May 22
Elkhorn	Feb 18 – Mar 4	Apr 22 – Apr 29

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 tomatoes in Nebraska?

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 tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Nebraska

When to plant tomatoes in other states