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When to Plant Serviceberries in Buffalo County, NE

Serviceberries (saskatoons) are attractive native shrubs or small trees producing sweet, blueberry-like fruits. They have beautiful spring flowers and vibrant fall color.

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 Serviceberries 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

Serviceberries Planting Timeline — Buffalo County, NE

Serviceberries Planting Calendar

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

· 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

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

162 days in Buffalo County

Growing Tips for Buffalo County

Plant in well-drained soil. Minimal pruning needed beyond removing dead wood. Protect fruit from birds with netting. Berries ripen in early summer and are excellent fresh or in pies.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Serviceberries in Buffalo County, NE?

Buffalo County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Serviceberries 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.

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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: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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