What to plant this week in Omaha, NE
With Omaha's last average frost still lingering around April 21, this week is about capitalizing on the early window before spring temperatures fully stabilize. Gardeners should focus immediately on harvesting your established warm-season crops that are nearing maturity while preparing hardy perennials for their final fall planting.
The next 7 days
Omaha, NEGrowing in Omaha right now
- The soil in Omaha can remain cool and wet late into April; avoid transplanting sensitive seedlings until mid-to-late May to prevent root shock from the damp clay.
- Take advantage of the current harvest window by picking Zucchini, Bush Beans, and Cucumbers frequently to encourage heavier yields before summer heat sets in.
- Since there are no plants recommended for sowing outdoors now, focus your energy on protecting existing crops with row covers against any sudden late frosts expected near April 21.
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
- Watch for early-season aphids colonizing the new growth of Sunflowers and Zinnias as temperatures rise above freezing.
- Monitor Garlic and Onion beds (if still in ground) or emerging transplants for onion maggots, which thrive in Omaha's moist spring soil.
- Check Borage and Basil plants for spider mites, a common issue in our region when humidity drops during the transition to summer.
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.
Omaha gardening questions
3Can I plant any new seeds this week since my calendar says 'sow now' is empty?
No, with the ground still potentially cold and wet near April 21, it is too risky to sow most outdoor seeds in Omaha right now. Wait until after the last average frost date passes for warm-weather crops like Bush Beans or Zucchini.
My Garlic bulbs are showing green shoots; should I cover them up before a late freeze?
Garlic is actually cold-hardy and can tolerate light frosts down to about 10°F, so minor dips in temperature won't damage it. Leave the plants exposed but ensure you don't let heavy snow or ice weigh them down.
When should I start thinking about planting my Zucchini and Summer Squash?
While these are on your harvest list now if already planted, do not plant new seeds until the soil warms up after April 21. Planting too early in Omaha's clay-heavy soil can cause seedlings to rot before they emerge.
Other cities in zone 6a
12See the full zone 6a guide → · Plan your Omaha garden in SproutGuide →