When to plant lettuce
Lettuce timing, counted from your average last spring frost and first fall frost. Needs light to germinate; sow shallow. Bolts in heat.
| Season | cool-season, semi to frost |
|---|---|
| Start indoors | 8 weeks before to 6 weeks before the last frost |
| Transplant | 3 weeks before to at the last frost |
| Sow outdoors | 4 weeks before to 2 weeks after the last frost |
| Fall transplant | 8 weeks before to 5 weeks before the first fall frost |
| Fall sowing | 10 weeks before to 6 weeks before the first fall frost |
| Soil temperature to germinate | 35°F or warmer |
| Days to maturity | 30–65 days from seed |
| Spacing | 6–12 in apart, rows 12–18 in apart |
| Seed depth | 0.125 in |
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Example dates
| Place | Dates |
|---|---|
| Austin, TX (78701) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 13–27; Transplant: Feb 17–Mar 10; Sow outdoors: Feb 10–Mar 24; Fall transplant: Sep 22–Oct 13; Fall sowing: Sep 8–Oct 6 |
| Atlanta, GA (30303) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 27–Feb 10; Transplant: Mar 3–24; Sow outdoors: Feb 24–Apr 7; Fall transplant: Sep 13–Oct 4; Fall sowing: Aug 30–Sep 27 |
| St. Louis, MO (63101) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 4–18; Transplant: Mar 11–Apr 1; Sow outdoors: Mar 4–Apr 15; Fall transplant: Sep 9–30; Fall sowing: Aug 26–Sep 23 |
| Chicago, IL (60614) | Start seeds indoors: Feb 13–27; Transplant: Mar 20–Apr 10; Sow outdoors: Mar 13–Apr 24; Fall transplant: Sep 10–Oct 1; Fall sowing: Aug 27–Sep 24 |
| Denver, CO (80202) | Start seeds indoors: Mar 5–19; Transplant: Apr 9–30; Sow outdoors: Apr 2–May 14; Fall transplant: Aug 17–Sep 7; Fall sowing: Aug 3–31 |
| Seattle, WA (98101) | Start seeds indoors: Jan 16–30; Transplant: Feb 20–Mar 13; Sow outdoors: Feb 13–Mar 27; Fall transplant: Sep 22–Oct 13; Fall sowing: Sep 8–Oct 6 |
Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.
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Sources
- University of Missouri Extension: G6201: Vegetable Planting Calendar
- K-State Research and Extension: MF315: Vegetable Garden Planting Guide
- University of Maryland Extension: When to Plant Vegetables
- NC State Extension: Central North Carolina Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs
- UF/IFAS Extension (EDIS): SP 103/VH021: Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC: Planning a Garden
Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.
All vegetables · Your ZIP's planting calendar
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