When to plant lettuce in Manchester

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Manchester's frost dates of May 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 4 – Apr 25
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 11 – May 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 26 – Jun 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 1 – Jul 15
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 22 – Sep 6
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Manchester's 161-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Manchester'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 2
OCT 12

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Manchester?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Manchester?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 26–Jun 10) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Manchester?

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 4–Apr 25) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Manchester?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 11–May 2) in Manchester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 87%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Manchester?

Yes — Manchester supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early July (Jul 1–Jul 15), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Manchester?

Manchester has roughly 161 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 Manchester's frost dates.

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