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When to Plant Salsify in Holt 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.

Holt County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 708 feet, Holt County receives approximately 28 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Salsify to ensure they mature before fall.

Holt County, NE (Zone 4b) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 6

Holt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (8 days to spare)
Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Oct 12

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 399 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Salsify needs ~1,150 GDD — county provides 1,550 GDD Excellent fit

Salsify Planting Timeline โ€” Holt County, NE

Salsify Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest August 10 Aug 10 โ€“ Sep 21

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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
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

100โ€“130 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 4b

Growing Season

155 days

Growing Tips for Holt 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 Holt County, NE?

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

What planting zone is Holt County, NE?

Holt County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Holt 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 Holt County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.