When to plant lettuce in New York City

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New York City's frost dates of Mar 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 2 – Mar 23
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 9 – Mar 30
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 23 – May 8
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 20 – Sep 3
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 11 – Oct 26
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
New York City's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on New York City'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 30
NOV 19

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in New York City?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 3–Mar 24) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in New York City?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 23–May 8) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in New York City?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 2–Mar 23) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in New York City?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 9–Mar 30) in New York City, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in New York City?

Yes — New York City supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around mid August (Aug 20–Sep 3), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in New York City?

New York City has roughly 234 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 York City's frost dates.

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