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When to Plant Cranberries in Scotts Bluff 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.

Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 1,080 feet, Scotts Bluff County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Cranberries to ensure they mature before fall.

Scotts Bluff County, NE (Zone 5a) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Scotts Bluff County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Cranberries Planting Timeline — Scotts Bluff County, NE

Cranberries Planting Calendar

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

· 36" apart · Rows 48" 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

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

730–1095 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 4–5.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

135 days in Scotts Bluff County

Growing Tips for Scotts Bluff 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 Scotts Bluff County, NE?

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

What planting zone is Scotts Bluff County, NE?

Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 25.

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Your Scotts Bluff County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Scotts Bluff 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 Scotts Bluff County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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