When to plant lettuce in Newark

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Newark's frost dates of Apr 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 13 – Apr 3
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 27 – May 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 13 – Aug 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 4 – Oct 19
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Newark's 223-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Newark'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 3
NOV 11

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Newark?

Direct-sow around mid March (Mar 12–Apr 2) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Newark?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 27–May 12) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Newark?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Newark?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 13–Apr 3) in Newark, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Newark?

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

How long is the growing season in Newark?

Newark has roughly 223 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 Newark's frost dates.

Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.