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When to Plant Salsify in Burt County, NE

Salsify is a root vegetable with a subtle oyster-like flavor, earning it the nickname "oyster plant." It produces long, slender, cream-colored roots.

Burt County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 501 feet, Burt County receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Salsify during the growing season.

Burt County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Burt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 24 – Oct 5

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 490 gal / 100 sq ft
Salsify needs ~1,668 GDD — county provides 2,479 GDD Excellent fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Burt County, NE

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 โ€“ Aug 16
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 3

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 5a

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for Burt County

Direct sow in spring in deeply worked, stone-free soil. Use fresh seed only as viability drops quickly. Harvest in late fall after frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Salsify in Burt County, NE?

Burt County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Salsify planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burt County, NE?

Burt County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 23 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 Burt 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 Burt County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.