When to plant lettuce in Toronto

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Toronto's frost dates of May 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 5 – Apr 26
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 12 – May 3
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 27 – Jun 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 13 – Jul 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 3 – Sep 18
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Toronto's 160-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Toronto'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
MAY 3
OCT 12

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Toronto?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Toronto?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 27–Jun 11) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Toronto?

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Toronto?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 12–May 3) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Toronto?

Yes — Toronto supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid July (Jul 13–Jul 27), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Toronto?

Toronto has roughly 160 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 Toronto's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.