When to plant lettuce in Memphis

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Memphis's frost dates of Mar 14.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 14 – Mar 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 7 – Apr 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 13 – Aug 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 4 – Oct 19
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Memphis's 239-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Memphis'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
MAR 14
NOV 16

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Memphis?

Direct-sow around mid February (Feb 14–Mar 7) in Memphis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Memphis?

Expect to harvest from around early April (Apr 7–Apr 22) in Memphis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Memphis?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 14–Mar 7) in Memphis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Memphis?

Transplant outdoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Memphis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Memphis?

Yes — Memphis supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid August (Aug 13–Aug 27), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Memphis?

Memphis has roughly 239 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 Memphis's frost dates.

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