When to plant lettuce in Nebraska
Nebraska’s average last spring frost is April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 158 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Lettuce needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Nebraska's growing season.
When to plant lettuce in Nebraska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 9 – Apr 26, with seeds started indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 80°F.
Succession sow again in Nebraska: Apr 28 · May 10 · May 22 · Jun 3
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow lettuce in Nebraska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 26 – Apr 9). Sow seeds ⅛ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 2-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 65°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 8 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 9 – Apr 26). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 14 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Nebraska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, slugs, snails, cutworm. Diseases and disorders: downy mildew, bottom rot, tipburn (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about May 16 – Jun 15). Lettuce takes 30-60 days to reach harvest. Seed needs light - barely cover it. Will not germinate above ~80 F soil. Loose-leaf types give the fastest, most forgiving cut-and-come-again harvest.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Nebraska’s average frost dates. More in the full lettuce growing guide.
Lettuce planting dates by USDA zone in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the lettuce dates shift with them.
When to plant lettuce in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this page) | April 30 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Mar 11 – Mar 28 |
Questions gardeners in Nebraska ask
When is the best time to plant lettuce in Nebraska?
Plant lettuce transplants outdoors in Nebraska between April 9 and April 26. That timing is set by Nebraska's average last spring frost of April 30.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Nebraska?
Start seeds indoors between March 26 and April 9, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 9.
Can I plant lettuce in the fall in Nebraska?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 31 and August 17, so the crop matures in cool weather before Nebraska's first frost around October 5.
When will lettuce planted in Nebraska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, lettuce is usually ready from about May 16 to June 15, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
On average around April 30, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 158 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.