When to plant lettuce in Baltimore

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Baltimore's frost dates of Mar 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 28 – Mar 21
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 14 – Apr 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 21 – Sep 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 12 – Oct 27
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Baltimore's 249-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Baltimore'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 21
NOV 27

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Baltimore?

Direct-sow around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Baltimore?

Expect to harvest from around mid April (Apr 14–Apr 29) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Baltimore?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Baltimore?

Transplant outdoors around late February (Feb 28–Mar 21) in Baltimore, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Baltimore?

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

How long is the growing season in Baltimore?

Baltimore has roughly 249 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 Baltimore's frost dates.

Confidence 84/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.