When to plant lettuce in zone 3a — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 3A

Growing SeasonZone 3a

Last frost ~May 30First frost ~Sep 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors May 2 · Sow May 9 · First harvest Jun 18 · Wrap by Jul 30

Last spring frostMay 30

Start seeds indoorsMay 2

Direct sowMay 9

First harvestJun 18

Last harvestJul 30

Fall succession sowJul 2

First fall frostSep 10

Why these dates work in zone 3a

Zone 3a's last spring frost averages May 30 and first fall frost Sep 10 — about 103 frost-free days. Lettuce tolerates light frost, so you can sow ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 4 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 2 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does lettuce take to grow in zone 3a?

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 3a that means sowing around May 9 and first picking around Jun 18.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 3a?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 3a you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 10).

Can I plant a second crop of lettuce in zone 3a?

Yes — in zone 3a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 2 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full lettuce growing guide →