When to plant lettuce in zone 3b — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 6First frost ~Oct 22Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Apr 8 · Sow Apr 15 · First harvest May 25 · Wrap by Jul 6

Last spring frostMay 6

Start seeds indoorsApr 8

Direct sowApr 15

First harvestMay 25

Last harvestJul 6

Fall succession sowAug 13

First fall frostOct 22

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 6 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 169 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 Aug 13 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 Apr 15 and first picking around May 25.

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 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).

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

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 13 for a second harvest before frost.

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

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