What to plant this week in Lincoln, NE
Lincoln gardeners are deep into late spring and early summer, with the last frost average of April 21 now firmly behind us. This week marks the peak harvest window for your warm-season crops like bush beans, cucumbers, and sweet corn while you finish hardening off transplants like cosmos and zinnia. With temperatures often dipping near -10°F in winter but warming rapidly now, focus on protecting late plantings from any unexpected chill before the October 17 frost date arrives.
The next 7 days
Lincoln, NEGrowing in Lincoln right now
- Lincoln's soil is notoriously heavy clay that becomes hard as concrete when dry; break it down thoroughly with a broadfork or compost amendment before planting beans and squash to prevent root rot.
- Expect distinct temperature swings between our humid springs and crisp summers, so mulch heavily around your watermelons and cantaloupes to retain moisture and keep fruit off the damp ground.
- Our urban heat islands along the Platte River corridor can push temperatures higher than surrounding farmland, allowing you to start frost-tender crops like basil and okra a week earlier than the zone average suggests.
- Watch for wind damage on tall sunflowers and pole beans; secure stakes firmly now as Lincoln winds pick up significantly during our June and July growing season.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
41 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
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- 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 tops of zucchini and squash plants now to encourage more fruit development rather than just vines.
- Cut back dying foliage on basil and borage after heavy harvesting to promote a second, smaller flush of growth.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites thrive in Lincoln's dry spells this time of year, especially on leafy greens like lettuce and spinach; spray with insecticidal soap early before populations explode.
- Corn earworms are currently active and targeting your sweet corn, bush beans, and melons; monitor for webbing and apply organic controls if damage appears.
- Late-season blight can strike tomatoes and potatoes quickly in our humid springs; ensure good air circulation around plants by pruning lower leaves immediately.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to reduce evaporation while supporting heavy fruit production on melons and squash.
Pull any volunteer weeds immediately around your transplants like edamame and fennel before they compete for nutrients.
Lincoln gardening questions
3When is the best time to plant my garlic in Lincoln?
Garlic should be planted now in mid-autumn, around late October for our zone 6a climate, allowing roots to establish before our harsh winter lows of -10°F. Wait until after the soil cools down but before the ground freezes hard.
My zucchini and cucumbers are producing slowly this week; how do I fix it?
Lincoln's clay soil often holds too much water if not amended, which can stunt fruiting; ensure your beds have excellent drainage and add plenty of compost to improve aeration. Also, pinch off the oldest yellow leaves at the base of the plant to encourage new growth.
Can I still get a good harvest from my summer squash before the first frost?
Yes, you can expect to harvest zucchini and yellow squash well into October, just watch for the average first frost date of October 17. If a hard freeze threatens early, cover plants with row covers or bring them indoors if they are very young.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Lincoln garden in SproutGuide →