When to plant lettuce in Birmingham
Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Birmingham's frost dates of Apr 24.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 27 – Apr 17
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 18 – Jun 2
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Birmingham's 181-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Birmingham'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
APR 24
OCT 22
Common questions
When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Birmingham?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Birmingham?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 18–Jun 2) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Birmingham?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Birmingham?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Birmingham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
How long is the growing season in Birmingham?
Birmingham has roughly 181 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 Birmingham's frost dates.
Confidence 84/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.