When to plant lettuce in Madison

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Madison's frost dates of May 5.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 7 – Apr 28
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 14 – May 5
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 29 – Jun 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 3 – Jul 17
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 24 – Sep 8
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Madison's 151-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Madison'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
MAY 5
OCT 6

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Madison?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Madison?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 29–Jun 13) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Madison?

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Madison?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 14–May 5) in Madison, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Madison?

Yes — Madison supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early July (Jul 3–Jul 17), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Madison?

Madison has roughly 151 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 Madison's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.