What to plant this week in Omaha, NE
With average last frost dates in Omaha hovering around April 21, this week marks the transition from early spring cleanup to aggressive planting for your zone 6a garden. As night air temperatures dip toward -10°F in winter but warm up quickly by day now, focus on transplanting those heat-loving crops like cantaloupe and okra that are currently listed as ready to go.
The next 7 days
Omaha, NEGrowing in Omaha right now
- Omaha's clay-heavy river valley soil warms slowly; consider using black plastic mulch for your zucchini and squash plots to boost soil temperature before planting.
- The region typically sees erratic afternoon thunderstorms in spring, so ensure newly transplanted basil and watermelon are staked securely against wind damage.
- Given the high alkalinity of local soils common in Douglas County, amend beds with sulfur or peat moss specifically for acid-loving crops like blueberries if you plan to add them later this summer.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
45 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and sweet corn every two weeks for continuous harvests through summer.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and okra to encourage bushier growth rather than flowering too early.
- Add a thin layer of straw or shredded leaves around heavy feeders like pumpkins and squash to retain moisture.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early aphid colonies on young bean plants as temperatures stabilize above 50°F.
- Monitor tomato and pepper seedlings for cutworms which are active in the cool, damp spring mornings typical of Omaha.
- Check for powdery mildew on leafy greens like lettuce and celery if humidity spikes during night rain events.
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, applying it deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and disease risk.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash early in the day when they are most tender and flavorful for your table.
Omaha gardening questions
3Is it safe to transplant my basil and zucchini seeds outdoors this week?
Yes, provided you wait until after the average last frost date of April 21, though early spring frosts can still occur in late April. Hardening off your seedlings for a week before moving them into Omaha's windy clay soil will reduce transplant shock.
When should I start harvesting my summer squash and zucchini?
You can begin picking yellow summer squash and zucchinis once the flowers fade, usually 50-60 days after transplanting. Harvest daily to encourage continued production throughout Omaha's short growing season before the first frost on October 17.
Can I plant garlic now for a fall harvest?
Absolutely, this is the ideal time to plant garlic cloves in late winter/early spring zones like ours so they establish roots before the ground freezes. Ensure you choose a variety suited for cooler northern climates and plant about 2 inches deep with the pointed end up.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Omaha garden in SproutGuide →