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SowingDates

When to plant head lettuce

Vegetable, hardy

Use the same early lettuce window as leaf types: direct-sow 2–6 weeks before the last frost or transplant 2–4 weeks before. Clemson lists head lettuce at 30–50 days. CSU's leaf-lettuce germination minimum is 35°F and Wisconsin's planting minimum for lettuce is 45°F; hot weather makes heads bolt.

Heads of butterhead lettuce growing in a wooden raised bed

The general rule

Transplant outdoors
2–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
2–6 weeks before the last spring frost
Plant when soil reaches
45°F
Days to maturity
30–50 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Head lettuce planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferTransplant outdoorsSow outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Dec 26 – Jan 9Dec 12 – Jan 9
Tucson, AZMar 2Feb 2 – Feb 16Jan 19 – Feb 16
Portland, ORMar 21Feb 21 – Mar 7Feb 7 – Mar 7
Baltimore, MDApr 4Mar 7 – Mar 21Feb 21 – Mar 21
New York, NYApr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Mar 1 – Mar 29
Nashville, TNApr 16Mar 19 – Apr 2Mar 5 – Apr 2
Louisville, KYApr 23Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 12 – Apr 9
Omaha, NEMay 6Apr 8 – Apr 22Mar 25 – Apr 22
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Apr 17 – May 1Apr 3 – May 1
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: fall and winter (soil 45°F+).

Sources