When to plant lettuce in Tucson

Lettuce is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Tucson's frost dates of Feb 27.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 30 – Feb 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 26 – Jan 16
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 9 – Feb 24
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 24 – Sep 7
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 15 – Oct 30
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
45 – 60 d
Tucson's 278-day season leaves this much room.
Lettuce on Tucson'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
FEB 27
NOV 27

Common questions

When can I sow lettuce outdoors in Tucson?

Direct-sow around late December (Dec 26–Jan 16) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

When will lettuce be ready to harvest in Tucson?

Expect to harvest from around early February (Feb 9–Feb 24) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in Tucson?

Start seeds indoors around late January (Jan 30–Feb 20) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When can I transplant lettuce outdoors in Tucson?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 26–Jan 16) in Tucson, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant lettuce in autumn in Tucson?

Yes — Tucson supports a second, autumn sowing of lettuce around late August (Aug 24–Sep 7), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Tucson?

Tucson has roughly 278 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 Tucson's frost dates.

Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.