When to plant lettuce in Minneapolis

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Minneapolis's frost dates of Apr 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 24 – Apr 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 7 – Apr 28
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 22 – Jun 6
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 13 – Jul 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 3 – Sep 18
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Minneapolis's 180-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Minneapolis'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 21
OCT 13

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Minneapolis?

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

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Minneapolis?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 22–Jun 6) in Minneapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Minneapolis?

Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 24–Apr 14) in Minneapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Minneapolis?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 7–Apr 28) in Minneapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Minneapolis?

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

How long is the growing season in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has roughly 180 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 Minneapolis's frost dates.

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