When to plant lettuce in zone 3b — planting calendar

Not your zone?

Showing USDA Zone 3B

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 25First frost ~Sep 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Apr 27 · Sow May 4 · First harvest Jun 13 · Wrap by Jul 25

Last spring frostMay 25

Start seeds indoorsApr 27

Direct sowMay 4

First harvestJun 13

Last harvestJul 25

Fall succession sowJul 7

First fall frostSep 15

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 25 and first fall frost Sep 15 — about 113 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 7 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 3b that means sowing around May 4 and first picking around Jun 13.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can sow a little before the last frost (around May 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 15).

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

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 7 for a second harvest before frost.

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