When to plant lettuce in Edinburgh

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Edinburgh'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.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 21 – Aug 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 11 – Sep 26
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Edinburgh's 201-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Edinburgh'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
APR 18
OCT 30

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Edinburgh?

Direct-sow around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Edinburgh?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 12–May 27) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Edinburgh?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 21–Apr 11) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Edinburgh?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 28–Apr 18) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Edinburgh?

Yes — Edinburgh supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around late July (Jul 21–Aug 4), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh has roughly 201 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 Edinburgh's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.