Skip to content
SowingDates

When to plant leaf lettuce

Vegetable, hardy

Direct-sow 2–6 weeks before the last frost or set transplants 2–4 weeks before; the wider direct-sow window covers Wisconsin (4–6 weeks) and CSU's hardy group (2–4 weeks). Leaf types take about 40–70 days. Wisconsin says wait to plant until soil is 45°F even though seed can germinate from 35°F.

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
40–70 days

What that means in different climates

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

Leaf 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