Great Plains vegetable planting guide
Wide temperature swings, wind, and variable rain. Shorter seasons north, longer south; wind protection and moisture matter.
FROST-FREE DAYS
128–214
USDA ZONES
3a–8a
LAST SPRING FROST RANGE
April 1 – May 15
States in this region
North Dakota calendar →South Dakota calendar →Nebraska calendar →Kansas calendar →Oklahoma calendar →
Representative planting calendar
Based on Nebraska (158 frost-free days) — near the middle of this region. Pick your state above, or use the generator with your ZIP for exact dates.
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow / transplant out | First harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeriac | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 23 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 28 |
| Onion | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Leek | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jul 25 – Sep 13 |
| Celery | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 23 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Sep 17 |
| Rosemary | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Sep 4 |
| Eggplant | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | May 14 – May 31 | Jul 25 – Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 25 – Jul 15 |
| Shallot | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | Jul 8 – Aug 7 |
| Bell Pepper | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Chili Pepper | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 12 | Jun 1 – Jun 21 |
| Thyme | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 10 | Jul 14 – Jul 29 |
| Oregano | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 10 | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Mint | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – May 3 | Jul 2 – Jul 22 |
| Sage | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 23 – May 10 | Jul 14 – Jul 29 |
| Tarragon | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 16 – May 3 | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Ginger | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 14 – May 31 | Jan 16 – Mar 17 |
| Turmeric | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | May 14 – May 31 | Jan 16 – Mar 17 |
| Tomato | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 6 – Jul 31 |
| Tomatillo | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 21 – Aug 15 |
| Ground Cherry | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 16 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 6 – Jul 26 |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – May 3 | Jul 2 – Jul 22 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 16 – Aug 5 |
| Kale | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | May 29 – Jun 13 |
| Broccoli | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 15 – Jul 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | Jun 8 – Jul 18 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 3 – Jul 18 |
| Basil | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Collard Greens | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | Jun 3 – Jun 23 |
| Kohlrabi | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | May 24 – Jun 8 |
| Endive & Escarole | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jul 10 – Jul 25 |
| Radicchio | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 15 – Jul 25 |
| Chayote | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 | Sep 11 – Oct 11 |
| Malabar Spinach | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 8 – Jul 23 |
| Summer Savory | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 1 – Jul 16 |
| Pea | — | Mar 21 – Apr 9 | May 20 – Jun 4 |
| Spinach | — | Mar 21 – Apr 9 | May 2 – May 10 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | — | Mar 21 – Apr 9 | May 10 – May 25 |
| Lettuce | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | May 16 – Jun 15 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | May 21 – Jun 5 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 16 – May 3 | Jun 27 – Jul 22 |
| Napa Cabbage | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 5 – Jun 30 |
| Bitter Melon | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 8 – Jul 28 |
| Cucamelon | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 18 – Jul 28 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jun 26 – Jul 16 |
| Peanut | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Aug 15 – Oct 4 |
| Watercress | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | Jun 5 – Jun 15 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | May 7 – May 24 | Aug 12 – Oct 11 |
| Beet | — | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | May 22 – Jun 11 |
| Radish | — | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Apr 24 – May 2 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | May 2 – May 12 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | — | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | Jun 16 – Jul 1 |
| Tatsoi | — | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 22 |
| Mizuna | — | Mar 28 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 17 |
| Cucumber | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 3 – Jul 23 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jun 21 – Jul 6 |
| Winter Squash | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 26 – Aug 25 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Aug 5 – Sep 4 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 12 |
| Watermelon | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | May 7 – May 24 | Jul 23 – Aug 22 |
| Rhubarb | — | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | — |
| Horseradish | — | Apr 2 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sunflower | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Apr 30 – May 17 | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Carrot | — | Apr 4 – Apr 23 | Jun 8 – Jun 28 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 4 – Apr 23 | May 19 – Jun 8 |
| Mustard Greens | — | Apr 4 – Apr 23 | May 9 – May 24 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | — | Apr 4 – Apr 23 | May 19 – Jun 8 |
| Chervil | — | Apr 4 – Apr 23 | May 19 – Jun 8 |
| Chives | — | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | — |
| Asparagus | — | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sorrel | — | Apr 9 – Apr 26 | — |
| Potato | — | Apr 11 – Apr 30 | Jun 25 – Aug 14 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Apr 11 – Apr 30 | May 31 – Jun 25 |
| Salsify | — | Apr 11 – Apr 30 | Aug 4 – Sep 13 |
| Borage | — | Apr 11 – Apr 30 | Jun 10 – Jun 30 |
| Globe Artichoke | — | Apr 16 – May 3 | — |
| Parsnip | — | Apr 18 – May 7 | Aug 1 – Aug 31 |
| Dill | — | Apr 25 – May 14 | Jun 9 – Jun 29 |
| Bush Bean | — | May 2 – May 21 | Jun 26 – Jul 6 |
| Pole Bean | — | May 2 – May 21 | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | May 2 – May 21 | Jul 6 – Aug 15 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | May 2 – May 21 | Jul 21 – Aug 15 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | May 2 – May 21 | Jun 6 – Jun 26 |
| Lima Bean | — | May 9 – May 28 | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | — | May 9 – May 28 | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet Potato | — | May 14 – May 31 | Aug 19 – Sep 18 |
| Rutabaga | — | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — |