When to plant lettuce in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Apr 2 · Sow Apr 9 · First harvest May 19 · Wrap by Jun 30

Last spring frostApr 30

Start seeds indoorsApr 2

Direct sowApr 9

First harvestMay 19

Last harvestJun 30

Fall succession sowAug 1

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 1 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does lettuce take to grow in zone 6a?

Lettuce matures in about 40–60 days from sowing. In zone 6a that means sowing around Apr 9 and first picking around May 19.

Will lettuce survive frost in zone 6a?

Yes — lettuce tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can sow a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

Can I plant a second crop of lettuce in zone 6a?

Yes — in zone 6a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 1 for a second harvest before frost.

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