When to plant lettuce in District of Columbia
District of Columbia’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a). Lettuce needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season.
When to plant lettuce in District of Columbia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 20 – Apr 6, with seeds started indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 80°F.
Succession sow again in District of Columbia: Apr 8 · Apr 20 · May 2 · May 14
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow lettuce in District of Columbia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 6 – Mar 20). Sow seeds ⅛ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 2-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 65°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 8 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 20 – Apr 6). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 14 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in District of Columbia.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: aphids, slugs, snails, cutworm. Diseases and disorders: downy mildew, bottom rot, tipburn (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Apr 26 – May 26). Lettuce takes 30-60 days to reach harvest. Seed needs light - barely cover it. Will not germinate above ~80 F soil. Loose-leaf types give the fastest, most forgiving cut-and-come-again harvest.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use District of Columbia’s average frost dates. More in the full lettuce growing guide.
Lettuce planting dates by USDA zone in District of Columbia
District of Columbia spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the lettuce dates shift with them.
When to plant lettuce in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this page) | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 30 – Apr 16 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 10 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 10 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
Questions gardeners in District of Columbia ask
When is the best time to plant lettuce in District of Columbia?
Plant lettuce transplants outdoors in District of Columbia between March 20 and April 6. That timing is set by District of Columbia's average last spring frost of April 10.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in District of Columbia?
Start seeds indoors between March 6 and March 20, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 20.
Can I plant lettuce in the fall in District of Columbia?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 20 and September 6, so the crop matures in cool weather before District of Columbia's first frost around October 25.
When will lettuce planted in District of Columbia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, lettuce is usually ready from about April 26 to May 26, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in District of Columbia?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.