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When to Plant Potatoes in Cheyenne County, NE

Potatoes are a versatile staple crop that produces tubers underground. They come in hundreds of varieties with varying colors, textures, and maturity dates.

Cheyenne County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 1,108 feet, Cheyenne County receives approximately 26.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Potatoes to ensure they mature before fall.

Cheyenne County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 4

Cheyenne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Oct 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 19
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Jun 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 19 – Oct 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 353 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Potatoes needs ~1,235 GDD — county provides 1,898 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Cheyenne County, NE

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 15
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 โ€“ Jun 15
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Oct 19

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

70โ€“120 days

Soil pH

5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

146 days

Growing Tips for Cheyenne County

Plant seed potatoes (not grocery store potatoes) 4 inches deep in spring. Hill soil around stems as plants grow to prevent greening. Stop watering when plants die back.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Squash Summer

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Potatoes in Cheyenne County, NE?

Cheyenne County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cheyenne County, NE?

Cheyenne County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cheyenne County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Cheyenne County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.