When to plant lettuce in Bristol
Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Bristol's frost dates of Apr 18.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 21 – Apr 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 28 – Apr 18
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 12 – May 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Bristol's 197-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Bristol'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 18
NOV 1
Common questions
When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Bristol?
Direct-sow around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Bristol?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 12–May 27) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Bristol?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Bristol?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 28–Apr 18) in Bristol, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Bristol?
Bristol has roughly 197 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 Bristol's frost dates.
Confidence 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.