When to plant lettuce
Short answer
Plant lettuce about 3 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Mar 25, starting seeds indoors about Mar 18. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Jan 1 | Jan 1 | Feb 13 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 18 | Jan 25 | Mar 16 |
| Zone 3 | Feb 10 | Feb 17 | Apr 8 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 2 | Mar 9 | Apr 28 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 18 | Mar 25 | May 14 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 2 | Apr 9 | May 29 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 17 | Apr 24 | Jun 13 |
| Zone 8 | May 4 | May 11 | Jun 30 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Lettuce is a semi-hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant lettuce?
Sow lettuce directly about 3 weeks before your last spring frost — it tolerates cold. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Mar 9; in a colder zone 6, Apr 9.
When do I start lettuce seeds indoors?
Start lettuce seeds indoors about 4 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Apr 2 in zone 6.
How long until lettuce is ready to harvest?
About 50 days from transplant or sowing. In zone 6, plants set out around Apr 9 are typically ready near May 29.