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When to Plant Rue in Banner County, NE

Rue is a bitter, aromatic perennial herb with bluish-green foliage used historically in medicine and as a pest deterrent. Handle with care as its sap can cause skin irritation.

Banner County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.

At an elevation of 917 feet, Banner County receives approximately 27 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Rue to ensure they mature before fall.

Banner County, NE (Zone 5a) Short season
145 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
145 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Banner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Rue Planting Timeline — Banner County, NE

Rue Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 17 May 17 – May 31
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 – Sep 27

Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

70–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

145 days in Banner County

Growing Tips for Banner County

Start seeds indoors or direct sow. Plant in well-drained soil. Wear gloves when handling as sap can cause phytophotodermatitis. Prune in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Basil
  • Sage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rue in Banner County, NE?

Banner County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Rue planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Banner County, NE?

Banner County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Banner County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Banner County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Banner County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.