When to plant lettuce in Atlanta

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Atlanta's frost dates of Mar 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 28 – Mar 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 7 – Mar 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 21 – May 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 4 – Aug 18
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 25 – Oct 10
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Atlanta's 229-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Atlanta'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
MAR 28
NOV 7

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Atlanta?

Direct-sow around late February (Feb 28–Mar 21) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Atlanta?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 21–May 6) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Atlanta?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 28–Mar 21) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Atlanta?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 7–Mar 28) in Atlanta, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Atlanta?

Yes — Atlanta supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early August (Aug 4–Aug 18), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Atlanta?

Atlanta has roughly 229 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 Atlanta's frost dates.

Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.