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When to plant lettuce in Rochester

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Rochester's frost dates of Apr 29.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Apr 1 – Apr 22
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 8 – Apr 29
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 23 – Jun 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 13 – Jul 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 3 – Sep 18
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Rochester's 173-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Rochester'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 29
OCT 24

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Rochester?

Direct-sow around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Rochester?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 23–Jun 7) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Rochester?

Start seeds indoors around early April (Apr 1–Apr 22) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Rochester?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 8–Apr 29) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Rochester?

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

How long is the growing season in Rochester?

Rochester has roughly 173 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 Rochester's frost dates.

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