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When to Plant Blueberries in Logan County, NE

Logan County, Nebraska Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Logan County, Nebraska

A quick May briefing for Logan County, Nebraska gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost May 13
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 54°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • Transplants going out: blueberries

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Blueberries are long-lived shrubs producing sweet, antioxidant-rich berries. They require acidic soil and are attractive ornamental plants with fall color and spring flowers.

Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 854 feet, Logan County receives approximately 30.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82°F, so choose short-season varieties of Blueberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Logan County, NE (Zone 5b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Logan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Jun 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.

Soil Compatibility in Logan County

How your county's soil matches Blueberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–7.2) is more alkaline than Blueberries prefers (4.5–5.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Logan County is excellent for Blueberries — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Blueberries.

How to Plant Blueberries

48"
Between Plants
72"
Between Rows

How Much Blueberries to Grow

5-10 lbs
Average yield per plant
2
Plants per person
48 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 8 blueberries plants in about 192 sq ft. In Logan County's 142-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 443 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Blueberries

Blueberries needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Blueberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 5.2" 3.4" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 2.1" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 5.2" 2.6" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 5.2" 3.7" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 5.2" 2.5" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 5.2" 2.6" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Logan County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Blueberries Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Blueberries needs ~10,494 GDD — county provides 1,633 GDD May not mature

Blueberries Planting Timeline — Logan County, NE

Blueberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors June 3 Jun 3 – Jun 17

· 48" apart · Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 4.5–5.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

142 days in Logan County

Growing Tips for Blueberries in Logan County

Direct sow Blueberries outdoors after May 13 in Logan County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 142.0-day growing season in Logan County is tight for Blueberries (730.0-1095.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant at least two varieties for cross-pollination. Acidify soil with sulfur or pine needle mulch to maintain pH 4.5-5.5. Protect ripening berries from birds with netting.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Blueberries in Logan County, NE?

Logan County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Blueberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Logan County, NE?

Logan County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Logan County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Logan 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 Logan County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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