When to plant lettuce in Omaha

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Omaha's frost dates of Apr 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 28 – Apr 18
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 12 – May 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 15 – Jul 29
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 5 – Sep 20
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Omaha's 176-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Omaha's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
APR 18
OCT 14

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Omaha?

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Omaha, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Omaha?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 12–May 27) in Omaha, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Omaha?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Omaha, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Omaha?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 28–Apr 18) in Omaha, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Omaha?

Yes — Omaha supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid July (Jul 15–Jul 29), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Omaha?

Omaha has roughly 176 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow lettuce to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow lettuce as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Omaha's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.