When to plant lettuce
The rule
Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost; plant out from 2 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow outdoors from 4 weeks before to 1 weeks after the last frost; sow again for fall 6–8 weeks before the first frost.
Lettuce bolts in heat. Sow small batches every two weeks in spring and again in late summer.
- Days to harvest
- 45–60
- Type
- Cool season
Start dates by state
Before FebFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune or later
| State | Largest city | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Huntsville | Mar 10 to Mar 31 |
| Alaska | Anchorage | May 2 to May 23 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Dec 25 to Jan 15 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | Mar 7 to Mar 28 |
| California | San Jose | Dec 19 to Jan 9 |
| Colorado | Denver | Apr 20 to May 11 |
| Connecticut | Bridgeport | Mar 22 to Apr 12 |
| Delaware | Wilmington | Mar 24 to Apr 14 |
| District of Columbia | Washington | Mar 15 to Apr 5 |
| Florida | Jacksonville | Jan 18 to Feb 8 |
| Georgia | Atlanta | Mar 10 to Mar 31 |
| Hawaii | no frost date | |
| Idaho | Boise City | Apr 10 to May 1 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Mar 27 to Apr 17 |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | Apr 6 to Apr 27 |
| Iowa | Des Moines | Apr 4 to Apr 25 |
| Kansas | Wichita | Mar 28 to Apr 18 |
| Kentucky | Louisville/Jefferson County | Mar 23 to Apr 13 |
| Louisiana | New Orleans | Jan 8 to Jan 29 |
| Maine | Portland | Apr 12 to May 3 |
| Maryland | Baltimore | Mar 10 to Mar 31 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | Mar 21 to Apr 11 |
| Michigan | Detroit | Apr 13 to May 4 |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis | Apr 9 to Apr 30 |
| Mississippi | Jackson | Feb 20 to Mar 13 |
| Missouri | Kansas City | Mar 21 to Apr 11 |
| Montana | Billings | Apr 20 to May 11 |
| Nebraska | Omaha | Apr 2 to Apr 23 |
| Nevada | Las Vegas | Jan 10 to Jan 31 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | Apr 16 to May 7 |
| New Jersey | Newark | Mar 21 to Apr 11 |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque | Apr 9 to Apr 30 |
| New York | New York | Mar 18 to Apr 8 |
| North Carolina | Charlotte | Mar 16 to Apr 6 |
| North Dakota | Fargo | Apr 20 to May 11 |
| Ohio | Columbus | Apr 6 to Apr 27 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | Mar 21 to Apr 11 |
| Oregon | Portland | Feb 11 to Mar 4 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Mar 16 to Apr 6 |
| Rhode Island | Providence | Mar 28 to Apr 18 |
| South Carolina | Charleston | Jan 21 to Feb 11 |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls | Apr 12 to May 3 |
| Tennessee | Nashville | Mar 18 to Apr 8 |
| Texas | Houston | Jan 19 to Feb 9 |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | Mar 17 to Apr 7 |
| Vermont | Burlington | Apr 15 to May 6 |
| Virginia | Virginia Beach | Mar 15 to Apr 5 |
| Washington | Seattle | Feb 22 to Mar 15 |
| West Virginia | Charleston | Apr 2 to Apr 23 |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | Apr 12 to May 3 |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne | Apr 30 to May 21 |
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Tulip bulbs
Garlic
Pumpkins
Strawberries
Onions
Carrots
Sunflowers
Cucumbers
Daffodil bulbs
Corn