When to plant lettuce in Raleigh

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Raleigh's frost dates of Mar 26.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 26 – Mar 19
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 5 – Mar 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 19 – May 4
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 9 – Aug 23
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 30 – Oct 15
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Raleigh's 227-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Raleigh'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 26
NOV 9

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Raleigh?

Direct-sow around late February (Feb 26–Mar 19) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Raleigh?

Expect to harvest from around mid April (Apr 19–May 4) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Raleigh?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 26–Mar 19) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Raleigh?

Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 5–Mar 26) in Raleigh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Raleigh?

Yes — Raleigh supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early August (Aug 9–Aug 23), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Raleigh?

Raleigh has roughly 227 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 Raleigh's frost dates.

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