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When to Plant Cranberries in Buffalo County, NE

Cranberries are low-growing, vine-like shrubs that produce tart red berries in fall. They grow in acidic, boggy conditions and are surprisingly easy to cultivate.

Buffalo County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.

At an elevation of 1,048 feet, Buffalo County receives approximately 21 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Cranberries during the growing season.

Buffalo County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
162 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
162 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Buffalo County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Cranberries Planting Timeline — Buffalo County, NE

Cranberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 20 May 20 – Jun 3

· 36" apart · Rows 48" 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

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 4–5.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Buffalo County

Growing Tips for Buffalo County

Create an acidic, consistently moist bed with peat moss. Cranberries do not need to be flooded to grow; flooding is only used for commercial harvesting. Mulch with sand in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cranberries in Buffalo County, NE?

Buffalo County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Cranberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Buffalo County, NE?

Buffalo County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 8.

🌱

Your Buffalo County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Buffalo County (Zone 5b). 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 Buffalo County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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