My Planting Calendar

What to plant in October in Nebraska

In Nebraska (NE), the average first fall frost (October 5) has passed by mid-October. The state averages 158 frost-free days a year (last frost April 30, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b).

2 crops have a sowing or planting window this month: shallot, garlic.

Dates here come from Nebraska frost dates (last frost Apr 30, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant garlic, tomato or lettuce in Nebraska.

After the first frostSow or plant: 2Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 37

Nebraska: planting activity through the year

0
18
53
76
69
28
35
28
1
2
1
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 30 – Oct 5
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 2 have one in October; the busiest month is April (76).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Nebraska's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
ShallotPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 9 – Oct 26Oct 9 – Oct 26
GarlicPlant in fall (after first frost)Oct 16 – Nov 2Opens Oct 16

Harvesting in October

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Aug 12 – Oct 11Peanut · Aug 15 – Oct 4Broccoli · Aug 25 – Oct 6Cauliflower · Aug 25 – Oct 11Cabbage · Aug 25 – Oct 21Lettuce · Aug 30 – Oct 16Brussels Sprouts · Sep 3 – Oct 20Bok Choy / Pak Choi · Sep 4 – Oct 6Mizuna · Sep 4 – Oct 1Swiss Chard · Sep 5 – Oct 2Napa Cabbage · Sep 5 – Oct 17Mustard Greens · Sep 6 – Oct 8Fennel (Bulb) · Sep 6 – Oct 18Cilantro / Coriander · Sep 7 – Oct 19Carrot · Sep 8 – Oct 15Radicchio · Sep 8 – Nov 4Dill · Sep 9 – Oct 16Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · Sep 9 – Oct 16Pea · Sep 10 – Oct 12Collard Greens · Sep 10 – Oct 17Tatsoi · Sep 11 – Oct 13Chayote · Sep 11 – Oct 11Beet · Sep 12 – Oct 19Radish · Sep 12 – Oct 7Spinach · Sep 13 – Oct 8Arugula · Sep 13 – Oct 10Kohlrabi · Sep 14 – Oct 16Mache (Corn Salad) · Sep 14 – Oct 16Turnip · Sep 16 – Oct 23Chervil · Sep 16 – Oct 23Rutabaga · Sep 17 – Oct 14Borage · Sep 24 – Oct 31Parsley · Sep 25 – Nov 1Green Onion / Scallion · Sep 29 – Nov 5Watercress · Oct 3 – Oct 30Endive & Escarole · Oct 10 – Nov 11Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Oct 14 – Nov 15

Planting dates for popular crops in Nebraska

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Nebraska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant garlic in Nebraska →When to plant tomato in Nebraska →When to plant lettuce in Nebraska →When to plant bell pepper in Nebraska →When to plant carrot in Nebraska →When to plant onion in Nebraska →When to plant pea in Nebraska →When to plant spinach in Nebraska →Nebraska frost dates by zone →

Spring bulbs to plant in October in Nebraska

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and crocus are planted in fall, once the soil has cooled and before it freezes. The exact window depends on the state, so our bulb guide quotes what each extension service says.

Bulb planting guide by state, with depth and spacing →When to plant daffodils →When to plant tulips →

After the first frost: October garden jobs in Nebraska

  1. The average first frost (October 5) has passed - pull frost-killed tender plants and compost the healthy ones; bin or burn anything that had blight or mildew.
  2. Plant garlic now (Oct 16 – Nov 2): single cloves, pointy end up, 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart, then mulch.
  3. Leave cold-hardy roots (carrots, parsnips, leeks) in the ground under a thick mulch and dig them as needed.
  4. Clean and oil tools, drain hoses, and note what worked this year while you still remember - it makes next year's plan far easier.

USDA zone chart for Nebraska

Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Nebraska in October?

2 crops have a window in October: shallot, garlic. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant garlic in Nebraska in October?

No - plant in fall (after first frost) runs Oct 16 – Nov 2 in Nebraska.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Nebraska in October?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Nebraska have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 5.

When is the first frost in Nebraska?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around April 30. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Nebraska in October?

From plantings made on time: luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprouts, bok choy / pak choi, mizuna, swiss chard.

← September in NebraskaNovember in Nebraska →Full-year Nebraska planting calendar →Nebraska frost dates →

What to plant in October in other states

KansasNorth DakotaOklahomaSouth DakotaAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasAll states →

Dates are computed from Nebraska’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.