When to plant lettuce in Missoula

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Missoula's frost dates of May 15.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 17 – May 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 24 – May 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 8 – Jun 23
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jun 25 – Jul 9
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 16 – Aug 31
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Missoula's 138-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Missoula'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 15
OCT 4

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Missoula?

Direct-sow around mid April (Apr 17–May 8) in Missoula, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Missoula?

Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 8–Jun 23) in Missoula, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Missoula?

Start seeds indoors around mid April (Apr 17–May 8) in Missoula, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Missoula?

Transplant outdoors around late April (Apr 24–May 15) in Missoula, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Missoula?

Yes — Missoula supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around late June (Jun 25–Jul 9), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Missoula?

Missoula has roughly 138 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 Missoula's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.