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When to Plant Medlar in Boyd County, NE

Medlar is a small ornamental tree producing unusual open-ended fruits that must be bletted (softened by frost) before eating. The flavor is complex, like spiced apple butter.

Boyd County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 667 feet, Boyd County receives approximately 28 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Medlar to ensure they mature before fall.

Boyd County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Boyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Medlar Planting Timeline — Boyd County, NE

Medlar Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 24 May 24 – Jun 7

· 120" apart · Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

1095–1825 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Boyd County

Growing Tips for Boyd County

Plant in well-drained soil. Medlars are self-fertile and need minimal pruning. Harvest after the first frost and allow to soften (blet) indoors for 2-3 weeks before eating.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Medlar in Boyd County, NE?

Boyd County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Medlar planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boyd County, NE?

Boyd County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

🌱

Your Boyd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Boyd 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 Boyd 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.