Best Lettuce & Salad Greens to Grow in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA Zones 4–6, typically Zone 5. We've broken out 110 lettuce varieties by zone — pick your zone below or find the right varieties for your specific part of the state.
Varieties
110
for Nebraska
USDA
Zones 4–6
135–180 days season
Beginner
85
easy to grow
Heirloom
67
heritage varieties
Nebraska in USDA Zones 4–6
Nebraska spans Zones 4–6. Variety lists below are organized by zone — start with your zone for the most accurate recommendations.
Growing Lettuce & Salad Greens in Nebraska
Zone 5 offers an excellent balance for lettuce growing – long enough seasons to get multiple harvests, but cool enough springs and falls to grow quality greens without immediate bolting. Your 155-day growing season from late April through early October is actually ideal for lettuce, since these crops prefer cooler weather and can struggle in the intense heat of longer growing zones. The key challenge you'll face is timing your plantings to avoid the summer heat slump when most lettuce varieties become bitter and bolt to seed.
When selecting varieties for Zone 5, focus on heat-tolerant types for summer growing and bolt-resistant cultivars that can handle temperature swings. Look for varieties that mature quickly (45-60 days) so you can succession plant every 2-3 weeks throughout the season. The varieties listed here have been chosen specifically for their performance in Zone 5 conditions – from cold-hardy spring starters like Buttercrunch and Romaine Cos, to heat-tolerant summer performers like Red Sails and Salanova types, plus excellent fall varieties that can handle light frosts.
Zone 5 Lettuce & Salad Greens for Nebraska★ Most of NE
110 varieties · Last frost April 30 · 155-day season
Zone 4 Lettuce & Salad Greens for Nebraska
110 varieties · Last frost May 10 · 135-day season
Zone 6 Lettuce & Salad Greens for Nebraska
110 varieties · Last frost April 15 · 180-day season
Zone 5 Growing Tips for Nebraska
Start your first lettuce seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date (around mid to late March for Zone 5), then transplant seedlings outside 2-3 weeks before the last frost – lettuce can handle light frosts down to about 28°F. For direct seeding, wait until soil can be worked in early April, then plant every 2-3 weeks through mid-May. Skip planting from mid-June through mid-July when heat stress is highest, then resume succession planting in late July for fall harvests that will continue until hard frost.
Your biggest challenge will be the summer heat – even heat-tolerant varieties struggle when temperatures consistently hit 80°F+. Combat this with shade cloth (30-50%), consistent moisture, and choosing the right varieties. Focus on leaf lettuces and heat-tolerant varieties like Red Sails, Salanova types, and New Red Fire during summer months. For season extension, use row covers in early spring and late fall to push your season 3-4 weeks longer on both ends.