When to plant lettuce in Edinburgh
Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Edinburgh's frost dates of May 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 10 – May 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 25 – Jun 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Edinburgh's 170-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
FROST
FROST
MAY 1
OCT 18
Common questions
When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Edinburgh?
Direct-sow around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Edinburgh?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 25–Jun 9) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Edinburgh?
Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Edinburgh?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 10–May 1) in Edinburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
How long is the growing season in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has roughly 170 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 82/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.