When to plant lettuce in New Orleans

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New Orleans's frost dates of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 11 – Feb 1
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 20 – Feb 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Mar 6 – Mar 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 26 – Sep 9
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 17 – Nov 1
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
New Orleans's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on New Orleans'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
FEB 8
DEC 9

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in New Orleans?

Direct-sow around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in New Orleans?

Expect to harvest from around early March (Mar 6–Mar 21) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in New Orleans?

Start seeds indoors around mid January (Jan 11–Feb 1) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in New Orleans?

Transplant outdoors around mid January (Jan 20–Feb 10) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in New Orleans?

Yes — New Orleans supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around late August (Aug 26–Sep 9), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in New Orleans?

New Orleans has roughly 304 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 New Orleans's frost dates.

Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.