When to plant lettuce in Cleveland

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Cleveland's frost dates of Apr 5.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 8 – Mar 29
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 19 – Apr 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 3 – May 18
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 15 – Aug 29
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 6 – Oct 21
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Cleveland's 227-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Cleveland'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 5
NOV 16

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Cleveland?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Cleveland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Cleveland?

Expect to harvest from around early May (May 3–May 18) in Cleveland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 76%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Cleveland?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 8–Mar 29) in Cleveland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Cleveland?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Cleveland, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Cleveland?

Yes — Cleveland supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid August (Aug 15–Aug 29), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Cleveland?

Cleveland has roughly 227 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 Cleveland's frost dates.

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