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When to Plant Potatoes in Cuming 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.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Potatoes during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Oct 9

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,198 gal / 100 sq ft
Potatoes needs ~1,306 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Potatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Cuming County, NE

Potatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 โ€“ Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 20
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Cuming 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 Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Potatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cuming County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Cuming County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.