When to plant lettuce in New York
New York’s average last spring frost is May 1, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 157 frost-free days (USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Lettuce needs 30–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New York's growing season.
New York covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant lettuce in New York: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 10 – Apr 27, with seeds started indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10. Seeds germinate in soil from 35 to 80°F.
Succession sow again in New York: Apr 29 · May 11 · May 23 · Jun 4
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 New York, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 27 – Apr 10). 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 (Apr 10 – Apr 27). 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 New York.
- 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 May 17 – Jun 16). 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 New York’s average frost dates. More in the full lettuce growing guide.
Lettuce planting dates by USDA zone in New York
New York spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant lettuce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 15 | Sep 15 | 120 days | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| Zone 4 | May 10 | Sep 25 | 135 days | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
When to plant lettuce in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| New York (this page) | May 1 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Maine | May 14 | Apr 23 – May 10 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 23 – May 10 |
| Massachusetts | April 24 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 4 – Apr 21 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 4 – Apr 21 |
Questions gardeners in New York ask
When is the best time to plant lettuce in New York?
Plant lettuce transplants outdoors in New York between April 10 and April 27. That timing is set by New York's average last spring frost of May 1; New York spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in New York?
Start seeds indoors between March 27 and April 10, about 4 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 10.
Can I plant lettuce in the fall in New York?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 31 and August 17, so the crop matures in cool weather before New York's first frost around October 5.
When will lettuce planted in New York be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, lettuce is usually ready from about May 17 to June 16, 30-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in New York?
On average around May 1, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 157 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.