When to plant lettuce in Cincinnati

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Cincinnati's frost dates of Apr 13.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 16 – Apr 6
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 23 – Apr 13
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 7 – May 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 24 – Aug 7
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 14 – Sep 29
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Cincinnati's 194-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Cincinnati'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 13
OCT 22

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Cincinnati?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 6) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Cincinnati?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 7–May 22) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Cincinnati?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 6) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Cincinnati?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Cincinnati, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Cincinnati?

Yes — Cincinnati supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around late July (Jul 24–Aug 7), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has roughly 194 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 Cincinnati's frost dates.

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