When to plant lettuce in Austin

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Austin's frost dates of Feb 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 18 – Feb 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 25 – Jan 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 8 – Feb 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 22 – Sep 5
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 13 – Oct 28
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Austin's 286-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Austin'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
FEB 15
DEC 2

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Austin?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Austin?

Expect to harvest from around early February (Feb 8–Feb 23) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Austin?

Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 18–Feb 8) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Austin?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in Austin, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Austin?

Yes — Austin supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around late August (Aug 22–Sep 5), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Austin?

Austin has roughly 286 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 Austin's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.