When to plant lettuce in Richmond

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Richmond's frost dates of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 4 – Mar 25
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 11 – Apr 1
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Apr 25 – May 10
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 6 – Aug 20
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 27 – Oct 12
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Richmond's 217-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Richmond'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 1
NOV 4

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Richmond?

Direct-sow around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Richmond?

Expect to harvest from around late April (Apr 25–May 10) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Richmond?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 4–Mar 25) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Richmond?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 11–Apr 1) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Richmond?

Yes — Richmond supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around early August (Aug 6–Aug 20), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Richmond?

Richmond has roughly 217 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 Richmond's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.