When to plant lettuce in Durham

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Durham's frost dates of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 5 – Mar 26
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 12 – Apr 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 26 – May 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 6 – Aug 20
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 27 – Oct 12
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Durham'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 2
NOV 1

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Durham?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 5–Mar 26) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Durham?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 26–May 11) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Durham?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 5–Mar 26) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Durham?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 12–Apr 2) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Durham?

Yes — Durham supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early August (Aug 6–Aug 20), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Durham?

Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.