When to plant lettuce in Milwaukee

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Milwaukee's frost dates of Apr 23.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 26 – Apr 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 5 – Apr 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 20 – Jun 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 17 – Jul 31
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 7 – Sep 22
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Milwaukee's 182-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Milwaukee'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 23
OCT 23

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Milwaukee?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Milwaukee?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 20–Jun 4) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Milwaukee?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 26–Apr 16) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Milwaukee?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Milwaukee, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Milwaukee?

Yes — Milwaukee supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid July (Jul 17–Jul 31), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has roughly 182 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 Milwaukee's frost dates.

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