When to plant lettuce in Montreal
Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Montreal's frost dates of May 11.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 13 – May 4
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 20 – May 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 4 – Jun 19
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Montreal's 142-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Montreal's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
MAY 11
SEP 30
Common questions
When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Montreal?
Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Montreal?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 4–Jun 19) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Montreal?
Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 13–May 4) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Montreal?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 20–May 11) in Montreal, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Montreal?
Montreal has roughly 142 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow lettuce to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow lettuce as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Montreal's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.