How to Grow Nevada
Lactuca sativa 'Nevada'
Lactuca sativa 'Nevada' is a reliable cool-season lettuce variety prized for its excellent heat tolerance and resistance to bolting. Gardeners grow this easy-to-manage crop for fresh salads, enjoying crisp leaves that thrive in full sun or partial shade while tolerating light frost well.
📷 Wikipedia: LettuceStarting Nevada: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Nevada is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds in the garden rather than starting indoors, planting out once soil temperatures allow and frost risk has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors 2 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost date, as they tolerate light cold. Press seeds lightly into the soil at a depth of about 1/4 inch. Expect germination within 7 to 14 days under these conditions.
Space plants 10 to 12 inches apart to ensure proper airflow and head formation. Provide 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, preferring deep watering schedules over frequent light sprinkles. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stems.
Watch for aphids, thrips, and leafminers during hot weather; encourage beneficial insects or spray with insecticidal soap if infestations occur. Prevent downy mildew and bacterial spot by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest outer leaves when they are 48 to 68 days after sowing for continuous picking.
When to Plant Nevada
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | July – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | June – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | May – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | April – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | March – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | February – December |
Companion Plants for Nevada
✓ Good companions
Deep roots don't compete with shallow lettuce roots, maximize garden space
Repels aphids and other soft-bodied insects that damage lettuce leaves
Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that control aphids
Natural pest deterrent that repels slugs, aphids, and cabbage worms
Repel nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects
Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting lettuce
Break up soil for lettuce roots and mature quickly, acting as living mulch
Similar growing requirements and harvest times, efficient space utilization
✗ Keep away from
Heavy feeder that competes for nutrients and can overshadow lettuce
Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of lettuce and most garden vegetables
Release juglone compound that is toxic to lettuce and causes wilting
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
