When to plant lettuce in Grand Rapids

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Grand Rapids's frost dates of Apr 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 2 – Apr 23
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 9 – Apr 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 24 – Jun 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 12 – Jul 26
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 2 – Sep 17
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Grand Rapids's 166-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Grand Rapids'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 30
OCT 16

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Grand Rapids?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Grand Rapids?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 24–Jun 8) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Grand Rapids?

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 2–Apr 23) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Grand Rapids?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 9–Apr 30) in Grand Rapids, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Grand Rapids?

Yes — Grand Rapids supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid July (Jul 12–Jul 26), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids has roughly 166 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 Grand Rapids's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.